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The
2022 Cost of Voting Index is the brainchild of Northern Illinois
University political scientist Scot Schraufnagel. The
nonpartisan academic study examined the time and effort required
to cast a ballot in each state following a number of new laws
passed by lawmakers around the country following the 2020
election.
The research is based on rankings in 10 categories, including
poll hours and access to early in-person voting.
“Voter registration, a lot of focus there,” said Schraufnagel.
“Can you get registered to vote on the day of the election, or
is there a 30 day deadline or some other deadline? Is there
automatic voter registration when you go to get a driver's
license?”
Illinois is ranked 9th in the nation in the index.
“Illinois had been ranked higher, but since the 2020 election,
several states have gone to all mail voting,” said Schraufnagel.
Controversy has already arisen this election season in Illinois
after an error on the 2022 ballot in Schuyler County resulted in
dozens of early votes in the U.S. Senate race are expected to be
thrown out. The initial ballots listed the name of the
Republican candidate for state senator as Peggy Hubbard rather
than Kathy Salvi. Hubbard lost to Salvi in the primary.
According to the study, Oregon, Washington and Vermont are the
easiest states to vote in. New Hampshire, Mississippi and New
Hampshire are the most difficult.
Voter turnout for the primary election in Illinois was at a
meager 21%. The turnout will likely be much higher for the
midterm general election, which is Nov. 8.
Kevin Bessler reports on statewide issues in
Illinois for the Center Square. He has over 30 years of
experience in radio news reporting throughout the Midwest.
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