Bill
HB 2763
Illinois law: SOS driver’s license/state ID apps become dual-purpose for voter registration and permanent vote-by-mail enrollment unless the applicant declines.
Status: Enacted (signed by Governor 2025‑05‑24; effective immediately)
Primary citation changed: 10 ILCS 5/1A‑16.1 (Election Code)
Summary
This bill amends Illinois’ automatic voter registration provisions to make certain Secretary of State (SOS) driver’s license / state ID applications also serve as applications to be placed on the permanent vote‑by‑mail (PVBM) ballot list. In short, when an applicant fills out an SOS form that meets specified ID requirements, the form becomes a “dual‑purpose” application: it can register the person to vote, update name/address, and enroll them for permanent vote‑by‑mail status unless the applicant affirmatively declines.
Key provisions
- Dual‑purpose applications: An application for (or renewal/change of) a driver’s license or state ID that meets REAL ID requirements (and in some cases other SOS ID forms) will also:
- Serve as a voter registration application,
- Serve as an application to be enrolled on the permanent vote‑by‑mail list,
- Allow applicants to change their registered residence address or name.
- Opt‑out/check boxes: The form must include clear check boxes allowing applicants to:
- Decline to register to vote,
- Decline to apply for PVBM status, or
- Decline to change their voter registration name/address.
Declining is confidential and does not affect SOS services.
- Attestation: Unless the applicant declines, they must sign under penalty of perjury attesting they meet voter registration and PVBM eligibility at the residence shown on the application.
- SOS / State Board coordination:
- The SOS will check its records and information from the State Board of Elections to determine whether the applicant is already registered or enrolled on the PVBM list and at what address.
- Completed, signed dual‑purpose forms are transmitted to the State Board for registration/enrollment unless the applicant declines.
- No duplicate ID required: SOS may not require duplicate identification solely to process the voter/PVBM portions.
- Notice requirements: SOS must clearly inform applicants about voter eligibility requirements, penalties for false registration, that the dual form will be transmitted to the State Board (unless declined), and that declining is confidential.
Who is affected
- Applicants for Illinois driver’s licenses and state IDs (including renewals and certain address/name change or recertification forms).
- Illinois Secretary of State’s Office and the State Board of Elections (administrative/IT processes for transmission and verification).
- Voters likely to be added to — or removed from — the PVBM list depending on their choices and eligibility.
Procedural/timeline notes
- Legislative actions listed show committee hearings in March–April 2025, floor passage in April–May 2025, enrolled and sent to Governor in May, and signed into law on 2025‑05‑24 with immediate effect.
- Implementing rules and interagency procedures (between SOS and State Board) will be needed to operationalize the application transmission, verification steps, and notices required by the statute.
Potential impacts (practical)
- Likely increase in PVBM enrollments because license/ID applicants will be given an easy pathway to apply unless they opt out.
- Administrative work for SOS and State Board to update forms, notices, verification checks, and secure transmission processes.
- Greater convenience for voters; possible concerns about data accuracy and the need for safeguards around address verification and privacy.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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