Voter Registration Modernization
What is Universal Voter Registration?
Universal Voter Registration is a proposal to reform the way we register voters. The idea is to make voter registration easier by lessening the burden the American election system traditionally places on American voters to register themselves. An important part of this reform is allowing eligible voters to register to vote or correct registration issues on Election Day.
Who is affected?
An estimated 3 - 6 million American citizens who would vote in national elections are unable to do so on Election Day because of a problem with voter registration.
Mobile citizens. Many Americans move frequently, those who do tending to be lower-income (including new citizens, minorities and/or young people). However, a person's voter registration doesn't move with them. It is more convenient and a better option than voting at their prior address if they can re-register and cast a normal ballot at their new polling place on Election Day.
Younger and newer voters. Although often young or new voters will focus on an exciting election itself, many are not aware of advance registration deadlines. Just as the election becomes most publicized and compelling to these potential voters, the deadline may pass and their chance to vote is lost.
Benefits of Universal Voter Registration
Source: Based on official turnout of citizen eligible voters at the United States Election Project
Establishing Universal Voter Registration would enable…
- Higher voter turnout. For the past 20 years, voter turnout of voting eligible citizens in states with Election Day Registration averaged 10-13 points higher than turnout in states without EDR.
- Better experience for a first-time voter than being turned away from the polls. When a registered voter has voted successfully, they are more likely to participate in future elections.
- Less reliance on provisional ballots. Election Day Registration allows voters inadvertently purged from voting rolls to cast a real (not a provisional ballot) on Election Day. In 2004, over 33% of the 2 million provisional ballots cast went uncounted.
- More accurate registration with officials. Whether it happens before the election or on Election Day, voters who are registered by election officials, as opposed to third parties, are more likely to be registered correctly.
What Is Election Day Registration?
Election Day Registration allows eligible voters to register to vote or correct registration issues on Election Day, before casting a regular ballot.
Currently, only 12 states offer some form of EDR – the remaining states require pre-registration of up to 30 days in advance in order to vote on Election Day.
What Nonprofits Need to Know: Why EDR?
An estimated 3 - 6 million American citizens who would vote in national elections are unable to do so on Election Day because of a problem with voter registration.
The myriad of administrative problems associated with creating and maintaining voter lists of 135 million people contribute heavily to this figure. However, the administrative problems and restrictions of current voter registration procedure affect those demographic groups often served by nonprofits at a higher rate than other groups.
For example:
- In a mobile society, Americans move frequently, those who do tend to be from lower-income families (including new citizens, minorities and/or young people). However, a person’s voter registration doesn’t move with them. It is more convenient and a better option than voting at their prior address if they can re-register and cast a normal ballot at their new polling place on Election Day.
- Many younger and newer voters focus on the election itself, but are not aware of advance registration deadlines. Just as the election becomes most publicized and compelling to these potential voters, the deadline may pass and their chance to vote is lost.
The Benefits of EDR
Source: Based on official turnout of citizen eligible voters at the United States Election Project
- Higher voter turnout. For the past 20 years, voter turnout of voting eligible citizens in states with Election Day Registration averaged 10-13 points higher than turnout in states without EDR.
- Better experience for a first-time voter than being turned away from the polls. When a registered voter has voted successfully, they are more likely to participate in future elections.
- Less reliance on provisional ballots. Election Day Registration allows voters inadvertently purged from voting rolls to cast a real (not a provisional ballot) on Election Day. In 2004, over 33% of the 2 million provisional ballots cast went uncounted.
- More accurate registration with officials. Whether it happens before the election or on Election Day, voters who are registered by election officials, as opposed to third parties, are more likely to be registered correctly.
To learn more about EDR, see the following NVEN fact sheets:
- “Election Day Registration and Automatic Voter Registration – 2008 Election and Beyond”
- “Election Day Registration and Automatic Voter Registration – Additional information"
- "NVEN Policy Statement: Election Day Registration and Automatic Voter Registration"
