On October 28, bills were introduced in both houses of Congress to require the states to let voters register at the polls on election day. The bills would affect federal elections only. The Senate bill is S.1986, by Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wis.). It has 4 co-sponsors, all Democrats. The House bill is H.R. 3957, by Representative Keith Ellison (D-Minn.). It has 5 co-sponsors, all Democrats.
States that already provide for election-day registration are Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Also, North Carolina permits it at early-voting centers, up until the day before the election.
How many folks get prosecuted for NOT being a qualified Elector — and taking up taxpayer cash and official time and effort — by ILLEGALLY registering on election days or just before election days ???
I.E. Just one more EVIL Donkey plot to rig more and more elections ??? Duh.
Long term economics WILL prevail regardless of everything.
See the economic ROT of the dead U.S.S.R. regime — 1917-1991, for example — caused in part by the deficit ROT in the U.S.A. especially in 1975-1991.
Richard, this is good news to increase voter turnout. Doesn’t the fact that it only affects federal elections create some problem for those showing up to vote and not being able to cast for state & local?
If it becomes law, it will generally coerce election officials to make it universal since it would be too much more of a hassle to separate out registration and ballots for federal elections. Same day registration generally requires provisional voting, since the judges at the polling place won’t have the capability to make sure you haven’t voted elsewhere or verify your residency.
One more law to federalize State/local elections – to avoid the cost of separate election systems.
Are the States now just about DEAD ???