Increasing the vote
Same-day registration is a wise way to draw in voters
By: Editorial Board
Issue date: 7/19/07 Section: Opinion
For college students in North Carolina who are simply too busy, lazy or simply forget to register on time, relief might be on its way.
A bill recently passed by the General Assembly authorizes same-day voter registration in North Carolina. That means that you can drop by a voting station, register and vote all in one stop.
We applaud the GA for passing this legislation and sincerely hope that Gov. Mike Easley signs it into law.
Opponents cite the possibility of increased voter fraud as a result of the bill. However, there are safeguards contained within the bill that guard against fraudulent ballots being cast. If a case of fraud is discovered, the fraudulent ballot is immediately pulled and is not counted.
This is easily possible because the bill provides for same-day registration only at specific early voting locations, meaning there is ample time to discover cases of fraud and to pull the ballots. Same-day registration will not be available on election day.
This bill will provide an incentive for people to vote early, which will both reduce crowding at the polls on election day and provide the state with more time to identify cases of voter fraud.
Having this process available is an excellent way to ensure that all eligible voters, particularly teenagers, are afforded their constitutional right to cast a ballot.
In the six states that had election day registration for the 2004 presidential election, turnout rates averaged 74 percent, a full 14 percent higher than the national average.
The 18-24 age bracket will especially benefit, since this age group is more likely to move frequently and thus less likely to be registered to vote. Only 34 percent of eligible voters in this age bracket voted in the 2004 election, compared with 56 percent in states with same-day registration.
With same-day registration in place, even if people miss the deadline to register, they will still be able to vote. Since only 2 percent of 18-24-year-olds know what the deadline is in North Carolina, this bill will surely help to increase youth voting rates.
The deadline is 25 days before the election.
Many people simply don't have the time, the energy or the interest to start paying attention to elections 25 days beforehand. This bill makes it so that even if the election does sneak up on people, they will still be able to perform their civic duty.
We are a democracy, and as such, it means that everyone should have a voice and a vote.
This bill helps to ensure just that and should be signed into law.
A bill recently passed by the General Assembly authorizes same-day voter registration in North Carolina. That means that you can drop by a voting station, register and vote all in one stop.
We applaud the GA for passing this legislation and sincerely hope that Gov. Mike Easley signs it into law.
Opponents cite the possibility of increased voter fraud as a result of the bill. However, there are safeguards contained within the bill that guard against fraudulent ballots being cast. If a case of fraud is discovered, the fraudulent ballot is immediately pulled and is not counted.
This is easily possible because the bill provides for same-day registration only at specific early voting locations, meaning there is ample time to discover cases of fraud and to pull the ballots. Same-day registration will not be available on election day.
This bill will provide an incentive for people to vote early, which will both reduce crowding at the polls on election day and provide the state with more time to identify cases of voter fraud.
Having this process available is an excellent way to ensure that all eligible voters, particularly teenagers, are afforded their constitutional right to cast a ballot.
In the six states that had election day registration for the 2004 presidential election, turnout rates averaged 74 percent, a full 14 percent higher than the national average.
The 18-24 age bracket will especially benefit, since this age group is more likely to move frequently and thus less likely to be registered to vote. Only 34 percent of eligible voters in this age bracket voted in the 2004 election, compared with 56 percent in states with same-day registration.
With same-day registration in place, even if people miss the deadline to register, they will still be able to vote. Since only 2 percent of 18-24-year-olds know what the deadline is in North Carolina, this bill will surely help to increase youth voting rates.
The deadline is 25 days before the election.
Many people simply don't have the time, the energy or the interest to start paying attention to elections 25 days beforehand. This bill makes it so that even if the election does sneak up on people, they will still be able to perform their civic duty.
We are a democracy, and as such, it means that everyone should have a voice and a vote.
This bill helps to ensure just that and should be signed into law.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
MOWLEED
posted 12/11/07 @ 10:27 PM EST
WAS UP NIGGAS THIS IS ATL WHERE THE NIGGAS ARE LET YA COME DOWN
BE COOL DRINK HOT BEVERAGES WITH HOT SAUCE
Post a Comment