With a population of more than 30 million, California is one of the lowest ranking states in voter registration rates. Once registered, however, the vast majority of Californians show an interest in democratic participation by turning out to vote. In recognition of this gap, some California lawmakers are finding ways to make voter registration more accessible to citizens, including the tried and true method of providing access to voter registration and voting at the same time: Election Day Registration (EDR).
For the state that ranks 42nd in the nation in voter registration rates, state Senator Leland Yee suggested that “we need to find ways to increase participation in our democracy and allow all citizens the opportunity to vote,” according to central coast publication, Half Moon Bay Review. “Same-day and Election Day registration simply makes sense.”
Sen. Yee is the sponsor of Senate Bill 1140, which was introduced last week with hearings projected for March.
Election Day Registration policies have existed in several states since the 1970s, and those states boast voter turnout rates that are 10-12 percent above the national average, according to research and advocacy group, Demos. In general, a citizen’s voter registration status and ability to vote can be affected by a number of factors, including a voter’s recent move or even a wrongful voter purge. EDR policies, advocates contend, enable voting-age citizens to register and vote at the same time, essentially eliminating the need for provisional ballots, which run a high risk of rejection.
“Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie called same-day registration a ‘no brainer’ and said it was more secure because ‘you have the person right in front of you — not a postcard in the mail,’” the Review reported. Minnesota was one of the first states to implement EDR and ranks number two in the nation for its rate of registered citizens, according to Project Vote report, Representational Bias in the 2008 Electorate.
Budgeting for this election reform is reportedly a nonissue. “California has already set aside money to create a master list of every eligible voter,” according to Bay Area radio station, KCBS. “Counties would verify names using that database, known as Vote Cal, to register voters at polling sites.” The measure also has support from San Mateo County’s Chief Elections Officer, who said Yee’s bill would promote voter participation “in a way that is both responsible and secure.”
The California Assembly adopted a similar bill last fall. It is now pending in the Senate Elections, Reapportionment and Constitutional Amendments Committee.
“The integrity of our democracy is protected when all eligible voters are able to participate,” said Yee.
One Responses to “Election Day Registration May Help Enfranchise Most Populated State in the Nation”
Comments are closed.
Same-day voter registration is a no-brainer, in the sense that it requires a brain to be asent to think it’s a good idea. In Minnesota, same-day registrants are held to a different standard than people who take the time to register in advance. No scrutiny is applied to th voter’s stated identity until after the votes have been counted. Advance registration gives election workers time to verify a voter’s identity, address and eligibility. In part because of Election Day Registration in Minnesota, upwards of 2,800 ineligible felons had their fraudulent votes counted in 2008, when a Senate election was decided by 312 votes. Same Day registration without a requirement for photo ID is even crazier. In Minnesota, people register by vouching, which is another voter saying, “this guy’s OK to vote” and that’s good enough. One can also use a utility bill as proof of residency – easily spoofed with a scanner and the most rudimentary image editing software.
Minnesota verify’s new voters’ residence by mailing a post card to the new voter. If it’s delivered successfully, the voter is assumed valid. If it is returned undeliverable, the voter is flagged for challenge at the NEXT election (for same-day voters, their vote has already been counted and can’t be undone). Over 54,000 of these postcards were returned undeliverable after the 2008 election in Minnesota.
You do not want same day registration unless fraud, errors and other abuse are your goals for your election system. Integrity trumps convenience.