From the Dispatch

Rhode Island Legislature Overrides Governor's Veto of Key Registration Reform

Christian Smith-Socaris — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:33:32 -0800

The Rhode Island Senate and House of Representatives voted on Tuesday to override a gubernatorial veto of important electoral reform legislation that will allow voter pre-registration for 16 and 17-year-olds. Rhode Island now becomes the fifth state, and the fourth in three years, to allow minors to pre-register, a process where their voter registration automatically becomes active upon turning 18.

California Governor Signs Law to Boost Young Voter Participation

Christian Smith-Socaris — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:34:25 -0700

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed legislation, AB 30, allowing the pre-registration of 17-year-olds in the state of California. The state joins seven others that allow pre-registration at either 17 or 16. This follows close on the heels of North Carolina, which made their pre-registration age 16 over the summer. As with campaigns in other states, students themselves were the most persuasive advocates for pre-registration.

North Carolina Passes Key Youth Voting Reform

Christian Smith-Socaris — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 08:42:04 -0700

Just at the end of the legislative session, North Carolina lawmakers passed a bi-partisan bill that will allow 16 and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote [H 908]. This will facilitate youth registration at two highly convenient locations – in school and at the motor vehicles department when applying for a driver's license. Currently, the majority of voters register when conducting business at motor vehicle departments, and this change will extend that option to younger people as well. And in doing so it will link in young peoples' minds the rite of passage of getting a driver's license with that of registering to vote.

Colorado and Indiana Legislatures Pass Internet Voter Registration Bills

Christian Smith-Socaris — Thu, 07 May 2009 09:28:09 -0700

In the final week of their legislative sessions, the Colorado and Indiana legislatures gave final approval to bills allowing residents to register to vote online. Colorado Senators passed HB 1160 and Indiana House Members passed HB 1346; both bills allow residents with driver's licenses or state-issued ID cards to register to vote online. The legislation has been sent to the governor in both states. In Colorado the governor is expected to sign the bill, while Indiana's governor has not indicated support or opposition.

Universal Voter Registration: A New Initiative to Increase Electoral Participation and Reduce Voter Suppression

Christian Smith-Socaris — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 11:27:53 -0800

The elections of 2008 served as a critical test of the nation's election systems. With changes in voting machines and procedures, coupled with expectations of record voter turnout, election administrators held their breath and hoped their system wouldn't fail.

While the system didn't fail, voters faced serious obstacles in exercising their right to vote. Voter registration ended up being the problem that affected the largest number of voters. Even before the first votes were cast, it was apparent that our voter registration systems were woefully inadequate. While in other nations 90% or more of the eligible voter population is registered to vote, in the United States less than 75% of eligible voters are registered.

We can do better.