Analysis: Same-day voter registration boosts turnout

[Khephra]

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Voter turnout could rise significantly in New York, California and other states if they permitted Election Day voter registration as is already the rule in six states, according to an analysis released Monday.

The findings, based on unofficial voter returns from Tuesday's election, showed about 46 percent of New York's voting age population cast ballots for president. In 2000, 47.5 percent of New York's voting age population voted in the presidential race.

California's performance was worst in the nation with just 36.9 percent of its voting age population casting ballots, down from 44 percent four years earlier.

New York ranked 46th in the nation among the 50 states.


http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-ny--voterturnout1108nov08,0,4344071.story?coll=ny-ap-regional-wire

[BeyondGeography]

1. Low turnout is also a function of the Electoral College

The campaign didn't exist in NY or CA, or any "safe" state for that matter. There was also, in NY at least, a lack of compelling local elections or "fun" ballot initiatives (make that "fundy") to support turnout.

[dragonlady]

2. Same day registration is the best way to go

If there is some problem with your registration, you just register again on the spot. It seems monstrous that a citizen's right to vote should be locked in because of something that did or didn't happen a month before election day. It also makes shredding the opposition's registration forms much less profitable.

[krkaufman]

3. That partially explains why Bush may have gotten more pop votes

CA & NY were considered locks for Kerry, so people didn't feel the need to hit the polls. (Idgits)


Question: If Gore's 500,000 advantage in the popular vote in 2000 had no bearing on Bush's legitimacy or policies in his first term, why should Bush's within-the-margin-of-error alleged 3,500,000 vote edge have any meaning? The popular vote isn't truly reflective of the feelings of the nation, since the election isn't a popular vote.

[wildeyed]

4. This is one of my new projects.

First off, anything that means that I don't have to stand around in the parking lot of K-Mart in 90 degree weather with a clip board begging tired, hot people to register to vote is a good thing.

It is also so common sense. We have the technology in my state to do it already. It uses the same computer system as early voting. So we should just do it.

I have read that same day voter registration favors third party candidates, as well.

[TheIdiot]

5. Yes, it does, and third parties need...

all the help they can get.

Morans.

[Rush1184]

6. They are reporting this like the findings were a surprise...

It took them how long to figure this one out?