Illinois House Passes Bill Requiring High Schools to Offer Voter Registration to Students

Springfield, IL — The Illinois House of Representatives on April 17, 2026, passed legislation requiring high schools to offer nonpartisan voter registration to eligible students, beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.

The bill, known as the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Law (HB4339/SB1786), was introduced in honor of the late civil rights leader who died in February 2026. The measure now moves to the Senate for consideration.

What the Bill Requires

The legislation would mandate that every Illinois high school provide the opportunity for eligible students to register to vote. Nonprofit organizations are permitted to assist schools with the voter registration process. The bill sets no penalties if a school does not follow the law.

The bill would take effect in the 2026-2027 school year.

Partisan Division in the House

The measure passed with a vote of 77-24, showing significant partisan division. While some Republicans supported the bill, a majority of Republicans voted against it citing concerns about partisan influence on students.

Democratic state Rep. Kim du Buclet of Chicago, who sponsored the bill, said the legislation is about getting young people involved.

"We will actively have volunteer organizations connecting with different school districts around the state to try and actively get students registered to vote," du Buclet said. "These are non-partisan organizations. This bill is not about any specific party. It's just about getting out young people involved."

Republican state Rep. Bill Hauter of Peoria opposed the bill. He said parents need to be involved in the voter registration process and described it as an unfunded mandate.

Hauter argued the decision should be left to individual schools on whether they want to prioritize registering students to vote.

"The school should be teaching kids math and reading and all these other things, history, and maybe that would be part of it, voter registration for those who are age appropriate," Hauter said. "But let the schools make that decision."

Hauter also expressed concern about what he described as liberal schools influencing students to vote for more liberal candidates.

"Is it going to dissolve into a very partisan activity where certain classes that are very liberal or left leaning will say, Oh, we're going to make sure they not only teach very left wing ideology, but we're going to make sure they're registered to vote and that they vote a certain way," Hauter said.

Republican state Rep. Jason Bunting of McLean County supported the bill, arguing it is a nonpartisan issue and every student should have the opportunity to register to vote.

"We've got to get these young Americans involved in this process, right off the bat, so they take, they have ownership to what's taking place with elected officials," Bunting said.

Bunting said it is important that students get involved at an early age to prepare them to lead the country in the future and have their voices heard.

"We don't want an electorate out there that's not going out to vote, that's not having their opinions, either in a primary or general election," Bunting said. "We need to make sure we get as many people out there to vote as we possibly can, to drive this country in the right direction."

Bunting said he understands the concerns of his fellow lawmakers, but voting is one of the most sacred acts in the U.S. that people should participate in as soon as they are eligible.

Democratic Support

Democrats supported the bill to expand civic engagement in honor of Jesse Jackson.

Democratic state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth of Peoria supported the bill, saying it makes the process of registering to vote easier.

"With more resources, I hope more young people will continue to vote and ensure their voices are heard in our community and beyond," Gordon-Booth said.

Democratic state Rep. Sharon Chung of Bloomington-Normal also supported the bill, saying it continues what some schools already have started and gets more people civically engaged.

Opposition from Other Republicans

Republican state Rep. Tom Weber of Lake Villa opposed the bill, arguing that voter registration discussions should remain within the family, not at school.

"We get radical teachers and school employees trying to influence kids," Weber said. "We had heard a teacher brought kids within walking distance of school and telling them how, which way they want to vote and everything."

Weber said he would rather that schools concentrate on educating kids, and suggested letting parents handle everything else.

His remarks drew an immediate reaction from Democratic state Rep. Will Davis of Homewood.

"You know, I am consistently amazed," Davis said. "At some point, all of us are going to be replaced, presumably by someone younger than us. When it comes time to do efforts like this, from the other side of the aisle, you don't want it to happen."

The Bill Now Goes to the Senate

The Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Law now moves to the Illinois Senate for a vote. The legislation has already passed the House with bipartisan support from some lawmakers.

Illinois does not require people to declare a party affiliation when registering to vote.

Sources

• NPR Illinois, "Illinois House Republicans split on bill allowing eligible high schoolers to register to vote," https://www.nprillinois.org/illinois/2026-04-17/illinois-house-republicans-split-on-bill-allowing-eligible-high-schoolers-to-register-to-vote
• League of Women Voters of Illinois, "Take Action: Empower Young Voters in Illinois," https://www.lwvil.org/news/action-alert-young-voter-empowerment-64szt
• Capitol City Now, "HGOP: Keep voter registration discussions within the family, not at school," https://capitolcitynow.com/news/248842-hgop-keep-voter-registration-discussions-within-the-family-not-at-school/
• Advantage News, "State House passes 133 bills, many potential impacts for Illinoisans," https://www.advantagenews.com/news/local/state-house-passes-133-bills-many-potential-impacts-for-illinoisans/article_e66cd403-93dc-4f7b-9ce8-dfe70232049c.html