Voter registration process is under scrutiny

[DogPoundPup]

Source: LA Times

Reporting from Washington -- The nation's much-maligned election system passed a major test last week when more than 132 million Americans -- a record -- cast ballots with few reports of problems.

But now, election reformers are calling for a move toward a "universal voter registration" system, in which the government takes the lead in ensuring that all eligible citizens are registered to vote.

"This means the registration process would no longer serve as a barrier to the right to vote," said Wendy R. Weiser, a lawyer for the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University. "It would also eliminate the ACORN issue and all the gaming of the system."

In the United States, unlike other major democracies, citizens, not the government, are responsible for seeing to it that they are registered to vote. And when people move, even if across town, they must update their registration, usually with a local office.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-voting10-2008nov10,0,4319793.story

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From article:

"The current system is simply not designed for a mobile society," the Brennan Center for Justice said in its report on universal voter registration.

Under its proposal, states could update their computerized voter rolls when residents move from one city to another. And they could add new voters who move to the state and apply for driver's licenses.

Some proposals would automatically add teens to the voter rolls when they turn 18. Under some plans, Congress could create a national voter registration roll, modeled after the Social Security database. Others say states should take the lead in expanding and improving their voter rolls.

[No Elephants]

1. We need a federal election law for federal elections. A comprehensive law, with very

stiff penalities for mucking around. Not piecemeal stuff, like only registraton. Is Congress ever going to get serious about this?

[Alcibiades]

2. It makes no sense

That moving across town in the months before an electionm--which may change what city council district you should vote in--should negate your right to vote for president, senate, etc.

This has been a long time coming.

[Zephyr_Wind]

3. Why can't we treat voter registration

like we do social security? You get born, you not only get a social security number you get a voter registration number which can be linked back to your SS & vice versa .

[liberal N proud]

4. If you are legal citizen, you should be legal to vote.

Voter registration it self is nothing more than a deterrent to keep people from voting.


What are people who inhibit voting afraid of?

[tblue37]

6. Voters. nt

[pberq]

5. a move in the right direction

[PinkoDonkey]

7. If we can get universal registration

If we can get universal registration, or somehow make it easier for people to vote, think of how much energy and money can go to other purposes in the campaign. The Dems would not get every one of these new voters, but it would prob help margins across the nation. Think of all the states, all the counties, all the districts that are just barely red. Now flip them. A happy thought for a Monday.

[Senator]

8. By All Means, Let's "Cure" That ACORN Problem

Be careful what you whine for, election thieves.

You might just get free, fair, and fail-safed elections.

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