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A Good Idea: Federal Election Day Voter Registration

By Jessica L - Jun 26th, 2008 at 2:17 pm EDT

Also listed in: Voter Protection

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Categories: Student Issues, Voter Rights, One Wisconsin Now - The "tOWN Hall"

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Federal Election Day Voter Registration is a great way to increase voter turnout. Election Day Registration would ensure that no voters are disenfranchised by voter registration regulations. Currently, there is a bill in the US Senate, proposed by Senator Feingold, that would establish Federal Election Day Voter Registration and it needs your support. As Wisconsinites, we have the privilege to register to vote on Election Day; however, for many other citizens, this is not the case. In most states, you must register to vote 20-30 days before the election. This, according to research, is well before most average citizens even consider the election or who they will be voting for.

According to Senator Feingold, “Election Day registration has worked well in Wisconsin for more than 30 years and is a major reason why Wisconsin is a national leader in voter turnout. By allowing people to register in person on Election Day, we can bring more people into the process, which only strengthens our democracy.” This statement couldn’t be more accurate. In fact, a study by the Center for Policy Alternatives shows that voter turnout in states that have Election Day Registration was 74% in the 2004 elections versus 60% in states without it.

Election Day Registration (EDR) would increase turnout in voters that are typically disenfranchised by registration regulations. The student vote is one that is typically negatively impacted by registration regulations. According to research, youth voter turnout is, on average, 14% higher in states with EDR than states without it.

EDR protects Americans fundamental right to vote without hindering the workers at the polls or the election process. A federal Election Day voter registration law is an excellent way to ensure that all Americans will have the opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote.

Reader Comments

A Bad Idea: The Election Day Registration Act

By Steve Jun 29th 2008 at 12:34 pm EDT

The Election Day Registration Act is simply another good example of liberalism gone wild. "Gee lets make it easy for uninformed citizens, fraudulent voters, and illegal aliens to vote for more poor leadership (can you say democrats) and even worse legislation. The so-called research you’re relying on comes from none other than “The Center for Policy Alternatives” a well-known liberal think tank hiding under a thin veil of progressive policy. I’ve never read about any research they’ve ever done that did not agree with that liberal organization’s agenda. Give the voters someone to vote for and you’ll be amazed at the voter turnout. Will democrats stop at nothing to gain more political power?

As far as disenfranchised voters go, why? Because they are frustrated that they might have to prove they are entitled to legally vote? This is just another example of Feingold and his most recent assault upon Americans. “Hey it works for me in Wisconsin it might help the rest of you democrats too.” Heaven knows your current democratic leadership sure isn’t helping get anyone elected. Nancy Pelosi? Give me a break!

Election day registration will increase votes for democrats by both uninformed voters and fraudulent voters and that’s why it’s being pushed period! After all, look how well it’s already working here in Wisconsin

Uninformed?

By Jon Jun 30th 2008 at 2:28 pm EDT

Statistically speaking, conservatives are dumb. Study after study has shown that there is a direct positive correlation between level of education and propensity to vote democrat. Also, there is a direct correlation between voter turnout and the election of liberal candidates. It turns out both democracy and intellegence have an overwhelmingly liberal bias.

Re: Uninformed?

By Curt Jul 1st 2008 at 6:40 pm EDT

Jon, it might have helped your argument to spell intelligence correctly. I'd love to see those studies, and who funded them. But, even if I were to accept that as a fact, the correlation between intelligence and level of education isn't that strong. There are a lot of professions (School teacher for example, or lawyer) that reward a high level of education, while others (anything in IT, small business owner) where the level of education has absolutely no impact on one's income. So while the "level of education" in an elementary school might be much higher than that in a software company, you would be hard pressed to argue that the level of intelligence followed the same curve.

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