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CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois lawmakers’ budget fight is delaying parts of a new election law. That’s leading officials to warn of long lines, fewer safeguards against voter fraud and other costly headaches in November.

Democrats pushed the bill through the Legislature in an effort to increase voter turnout in time for the presidential election and a key U.S. Senate race.

It requires several changes that have traditionally been seen as benefiting Democrats, such as same-day voter registration and expanded early voting.

But the Legislature didn’t approve the nearly $4 million state election officials said they’d need in the first two years to carry out many other changes, and the budget standoff between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and majority Democrats has made matters worse.

Cook County Clerk David Orr predicts “negative consequences” for voters.

 

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