Democrats move to add voting options

Weeks before the officials elected in November take their seats, Democrats are looking to make permanent the practice of allowing voters to register on Election Day.

Illinois tried it for the first time last month, and legislation approved by an Illinois House committee Monday would extend the practice.

The move is part of a large piece of brewing elections legislation that would also allow Election Day registration at more precincts and extend in-person early voting to the day before voters head to the polls.

State Rep. Ed Sullivan, a Mundelein Republican, asked why Democrats wanted to push forward with the changes before logistics of the 2014 election have been analyzed.

"Don't you think it's a little soon?" Sullivan asked.

State Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, a Chicago Democrat, said Election Day registration is already common elsewhere and election authorities haven't asked lawmakers to do away with it.

"A lot of other states have been there, done that," Currie said.

The election proposal is lengthy. It even includes a provision that if election officials are providing mementos to some people such as "I Voted" stickers, no one can be denied such a sticker.

The proposal moves to the Illinois House floor for further debate. All Democrats on the panel voted for it and all Republicans voted against it.