SPRINGFIELD – Youth participation in Illinois elections would increase under legislation that State Sen. Mattie Hunter voted for on Thursday.

The Illinois Senate passed a measure to create automatic voter registration for Illinoisans.

"Increasing youth participation will allow a necessary voice to be heard in our political system,” said Hunter, a career advocate for youth rights. “Today, we’re moving Illinois forward by making it easier for residents, especially young people, to exercise their voice and their right to vote.”

Under current law, Illinois has an opt-in voter registration system where the default status is unregistered. The burden lies on individual voters to register.

Senate Bill 250 would streamline the procedures in a cost-effective and easy to implement manner.

Automatic voter registration switches the default so that qualified voters will be automatically registered to vote.

Unregistered voters who wish to opt out may do so.

Senate Bill 250 passed the Senate and now goes to the House for further consideration.