Voter Advocates Push Illinois to Exit Multistate Database

Voter rights advocates are pushing Illinois election officials to withdraw from a longtime multistate voter registration database over questions of accuracy, security and voter suppression.

They're also raising fresh questions about the head of the program, Republican Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who's also helping run President Donald Trump's voter fraud commission.

Proponents say the database provides information not available elsewhere and can be a valuable tool.

But critics are urging Illinois to take another look.

Groups including the Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights packed a recent state Board of Elections meeting. Now, more than two dozen lawmakers are supporting the effort to have Illinois withdraw.

Their push comes as Trump's commission asks states for voter information while investigating unsubstantiated claims that millions voted illegally in 2016.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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