County clerks worry about special election for Schock seat

SPRINGFIEL - County clerks worried about being ready for the upcoming special election for U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock's seat are asking Illinois lawmakers to delay a new state law allowing same-day voter registration.

The special election is likely to occur after June 1, when the new law takes effect. But clerks in the 18th Congressional District say they won't have enough money or time to implement changes needed to comply with the law, the Springfield bureau of Lee Enterprises reported (http://bit.ly/1EzzMp3 ).

"There's no way we can be ready for that," McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael said.

Schock announced Tuesday he will resign his seat at the end of the month, saying constant questions about irregularities in his campaign and district office spending had become a distraction. On Friday, The Associated Press confirmed the U.S. Justice Department is investigating the Peoria Republican's spending and his business dealings, and that FBI agents have started issuing subpoenas to potential witnesses.

Once Schock leaves office, Gov. Bruce Rauner will schedule a special election to replace him. The primary and general election must occur within 120 days of the vacancy, or by the end of July. But neither election can occur before June because of state law regarding the timing for candidates to submit nominating petitions.

Several clerks from the 19-county district, which spans from western to central Illinois, met in Springfield on Friday. They said they're not opposed to allowing same-day registration at the main county election office, which they did during the November election. But they said they hadn't budgeted for the additional expense of a special election.

Michael estimated the cost of preparing each polling place for same-day registration would be $300,000. Sangamon County Clerk Don Gray put the costs for his county at up to $200,000.

"I've got to find $200,000 out of nowhere," Gray said after the meeting. "Something needs to be done."

Lawmakers approved same-day voter registration for all Illinois elections last year, after a trial run in the November election. Supporters say it increases voter turnout.