Among the most foundational rights as a citizen is the right to vote. It’s also one of a citizen’s most important responsibilities along with serving on a jury when called and paying ones taxes. This right is compromised by an outdated, still largely paper registration system that differs in all 50 states. One in four read more
Earlier this month, the Montana Supreme Court ruled that a legislative referendum to end Election Day voter registration can appear on the November 4, 2014 ballot. Called the Montana Late Voter Registration Revision Measure, LR-126, it seeks to eliminate Election Day Registration (EDR), instead closing voter registration on the Friday before Election Day. While the read more
With Connecticut joining the ranks of Election Day (or Same Day) Registration states, let’s review how expanded registration opportunities make it possible for more people to participate. In 2010 Same Day Registration allowed almost 640,000 Americans to register and vote in the November 2, 2010 election. Moreover, states that allow for Same Day Registration consistently read more
Earlier this year, we tracked legislation in Connecticut that would allow for online registration (with a valid and current driver’s license) and Election Day Registration. As of last weekend, it appears that Connecticut will get both. The bill, passed by both the House and the Senate, goes to Governor Malloy who plans to sign it, read more
It’s official. Question 1 will appear on the Maine ballot this November. Earlier this year we reported that a new law had ended almost four decades of Election Day Registration (EDR) in Maine. But EDR supporters mounted a whirlwind campaign, spearheaded by the Protect Maine Votes coalition, to repeal the law and restore Election Day read more
In June, we reported that Maine repealed its long tradition of allowing voters to register and cast their ballot on Election Day. Luckily, the story doesn’t end there: a people’s veto campaign is underway to restore Election Day Registration (EDR) to Maine. The movement is spearheaded by a collation of nonprofits, including the Maine Women’s read more
The state that pioneered Election Day Registration (EDR) has now passed legislation ending the practice. Yesterday Maine Governor Paul LePage signed a bill that ended the state’s long tradition of EDR. Supporters of the bill claim it will reduce fraud, however opponents point out that there has only been one case of fraud linked to read more
Last week the Rutgers Law School-Newark Constitutional Litigation Clinic filed a suit challenging New Jersey’s 21-day advance voter registration requirement. The suit claims that advanced registration is an obsolete and undue burden on the constitutional right to vote, particularly with the rise of modern technology and New Jersey’s Statewide Voter Registration System. Plaintiffs include the read more
Both the Montana House and Senate had passed legislation that would have ended Election Day Registration, thus limiting opportunities for eligible voters to cast their ballots. Luckily Governor Brian Schweitzer was on hand to emphatically veto HB 180. How? With his newly minted “VETO” brand. In March, Schweitzer registered his “VETO” brand with the Montana read more
New Report: EDR in Nebraska (Demos) This report from R. Michael Alvarez (Caltech) and Jonathan Nagler (NYU) from Demos analyzes likely effects of introducing Election Day Registration in Nebraska, and includes the following estimates of increases in turnout for specific groups of Nebraska citizens under EDR: Overall turnout could go up by 5.4 percent. Turnout read more
This report from R. Michael Alvarez (Caltech) and Jonathan Nagler (NYU) from Demos analyzes likely effects of introducing Election Day Registration in Nebraska, and includes the following estimates of increases in turnout for specific groups of Nebraska citizens under EDR: Overall turnout could go up by 5.4 percent. Turnout among those aged 18 to 25 read more
Read Demos’ new report on Same Day Registration‘s successful journey through the North Carolina legislature, from gaining the support of election officials to fighting concerns on voter fraud.
