LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS® OF CAPE ANN
serving Essex, Gloucester, Manchester-by-the-Sea and Rockport, Massachusetts
Because Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport!
ACTION ALERT
LWVM ACTION ALERT: URGE YOUR SENATORS TO SUPPORT “ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION BILL” S.2514
For State Senate Contact Information click here
Senators by city/town click here click here
This legislation will allow any eligible voter to register and vote at their local polling place on Election Day in national and statewide elections through 2011 “as a trial period.” At the time of registration, the individual must provide proof of identity and residency and must also certify that they are a United States citizen, are at least 18 years of age, and are not disqualified from voting for other stated conditions.
In addition, this legislation will create an advisory committee to review the implementation of Election Day registration following this trial period to assess its viability and will permanently change the registration deadline from 20 days to 14 days before a general election or primary.
Passage of this bill will
•Support increased voter participation.
In 2006 the eight current EDR states had an average 50.9% voter turnout vs. 41.6% in non-EDR states.
•Allow highly mobile population such as students and young adults, as well as new residents, to vote in greater numbers.
Deadlines to register are often missed by new district residents.
•Alleviate the problem of registered voters being turned away because of inaccurate or incomplete voter lists.
An MIT/Cal Tech report found that 122,000 registered voters in 2003 were turned away because of registration-based problems
•Shift the administrative burden of processing new voter registrations from the busy pre-election season to after Election Day.
The post-election period is a much less hectic time for election officials.
Passage of this bill will not:
•Increase voter fraud.
Multiple independent studies found that voter fraud is as low in EDR states as in non-EDR states
•Add significant cost to the election process.
Election officials in EDR states report the work of adding newly-registered voters to the rolls has been manageable and relatively inexpensive.
•Create dramatic shifts in the voting population.
Experience in EDR states indicates +/- 5% increase in registered voters.
Lead sponsor for this bill in the Senate is Cynthia Stone Creem, and it is strongly supported by Senators Augustus, Candaras, Chandler, Downing, Fargo, Gallucio, Jehlen, Joyce, Menard, O'Leary, Petruccelli, Resor, Rosenberg, Spilka, Tucker, and Marzilli. Be sure to contact their office and thank them for their support.
For more detailed information LWVMA Election Day Registration Position Paper click here
Contact Carole Pelchate, LWVMA V.P. of Program and Action cpelchat@lwvma.org
