The cut off of 30 days prior to the election is necessary, the precincts need to know the number of registered voters so they can plan for enough staff and supplies for the election, every poll worker must complete a training course prior to each election.

I am sure there is some background check that is done on each voters application, how could they do that same day?

Posted by Scott King on 11/07/2008 @ 11:19AM PST

With a little funding, modern communications devices could be used to immediately update registration databases in real time. This is possible but might be costly.

Posted by Ed Crowder on 11/08/2008 @ 08:05AM PST

Response to Scott King's comment: I can understand your concerns, Scott. But the simple fact is that 8 states already have Election Day Registration, and none of them have trouble with staffing, supplies or background checks. All those states have significantly higher turnout than states without Election Day Registration (10-12%). Modern statewide voter checklists make arbitrary registration cutoffs irrelevant. I heartily support Mike Connery's idea, let's help more people vote!

Posted by Tate Hausman on 11/17/2008 @ 01:27PM PST

I suggest requiring citizens to vote, combined with a modest tax credit for doing so.

Posted by bill lavery on 11/26/2008 @ 08:43AM PST

Why not have a permanent registration, like we have in Canada. Every four years, there is a census and this is when everyone is registered for voting. Of course anyone can make modifications to his own personal entry?

Posted by André Tanguay on 11/26/2008 @ 08:44AM PST

In New York State, same-day registration would invite horrific amounts of fraud and illegitimate votes.  There would be no possible way to guarantee each voter is (a) qualified to vote or (b) voting in the right election district.  Unrestrained democracy is a wonderful idea, but that's all it can be, an idea.  Maintaining the integrity of the democratic process is the more important endeavor. 

What would be a more practical concept, though still difficult-to-execute logistically, is automatic voter registration.  However, a proposal like that will have to be considered state-by-state and the process for such automatic registration would have to be very carefully delineated.

Posted by Jonathan Judge on 11/26/2008 @ 01:52PM PST

 This is about voting itself instead of registration. I suggest there be more time to vote, so there will not be so many that have to stand in line for hours on end, to cast their vote. At the very least, there should be a lot more machines in the larger districts, or have more voting areas for that district, so the people would have another area to go to and not have to stand in line at the one voting area. It is ridiculous how long people had to stand in line this past election to cast their vote.Shirley D.

Posted by Shirley Dilbeck on 11/26/2008 @ 02:06PM PST

One of the great aspects of our political structure is that there are many aspects of our lives which do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government. One of these is the method by which each state votes. I believe that in the days of electronic data transmition same-day registration would be possible and probably desireable, however it is not an idea to present on January 20 to Obama, so much as a rallying cause for activists in each individual state to get behind.

Posted by Benjamin Frey on 12/03/2008 @ 04:28PM PST

This is an awful idea. It will only work to create corruption at the polls, since you won't be able to check to see if the person is registered elsewhere, or if they are in fact a citizen. With this idea, someone could go from district to district -- or even polling place to polling place -- and register and vote. If you want to steal an election, this is the idea that will let you do it.

Posted by Troy Camplin on 12/04/2008 @ 05:47AM PST

I agree with Troy. Bad Idea. It wouldn't work in Texas. I just got done serving as an alternate election judge and I can tell you there are numorous checks our current system has in place that keep people from double voting.
Each County maintains there own set of registrations. It is important that you do not register in more than one county at a time. The State needs time to figure this. For example say you move from County A to County B. You might get a registration cert mailed to you from County A. But when you moved to County B you registered to vote in that County, so you recieve another voter registration certificate in County B. Well the State now needs to remove you from the voter list of County A. That way you cannot vote twice. That is what the 30 days is for. So they can get all that done and the books printed with the right names in them before the election starts.

Note: You can vote a provisional ballot if your name is not found in the books. And you believe your name should be in the books as a registered voter. A few days later someone will determine your elgibility to vote by checking the databases of registered voters. And then will make a judgment on whether to count the vote.

I don't see anything wrong with the system in place.

If we were going to change anything then I believe we should have a Federal Voter Registration system. Like other countries have. The federal government would print us out photo voter ids to be used when voting or registering with our local county election offices.

Posted by Eric Weiss on 12/04/2008 @ 09:28AM PST

Horrible idea. There are too many people voting as it is...or more specifically, too many ignorant people. The people who actually follow the news, the campaigns, etc...they're already clearly driven to vote and they're actually educated. Registering people just because there's this romantic idea among Americans that our voices need to be heard is ridiculous - your voice can be heard when you actually know what you're talking about. Otherwise, please sit out the elections.

Posted by Sophie Ames on 12/05/2008 @ 07:56AM PST

You are right Sophie, a lot of people are ignorant. But that does not make them stupid. It only means that they need to be educated. Maybe it has been tried without success. Maybe they seem uninterested. But we have to keep on trying and capture their interest. At least the fact they voted shows that they have some interest.

I think everyone needs to have access to fair information. Every person needs to feel that their opinion matters. Once they have the actual feeling of being part of something, they will look for information by themselves.

Posted by André Tanguay on 12/05/2008 @ 10:58PM PST

It is a duty of good citizenship to vote and vote knowledgeably.  That is a healthy expectation for the nation.  And follows the Golden Rule pretty well. 

Posted by bill lavery on 12/06/2008 @ 05:27AM PST

I say if the Social Security database is accurate than lets use that to determine date of birth voter registration at 18 years of age.  Once child turn 18 there name go over in the Voter poll and do not get pulled out until their certified death certificate is issued.  Of course the purge of name from the pull is only done when a death certificate has been done. A temporary status can be put on account if the person is missing, but once the time limit has been found that a death certificate can be issued than and only than will the person be purged. All current citizens in the SS database 18 - over will be put in the Pull.  And as each person turn 18 on their birthday than their names will be added.  The issue about moving around address and polling places can be worked out on the state and local government but the SS database will be used for the Federal level.  The SS database if not already can have the current address of each individual as well and the state can still use the SS for their level.  By the way we should have a National Voters day moved to Sunday because most people are not working on Sunday and more people can go vote.  I am for getting a $20 refundable tax credit every 4 years at Presidential Federal Election time on tax returns.

Posted by Willie Chambers on 12/07/2008 @ 07:49PM PST

Agree with willie chambers!

Moreover, the SS database is accurate, transparent, and under-utilized.

With all that information handy we should be able to remove the barrier voter registration altogether a la North Dakota or, in the very least, place the burden of registration on our government as opposed to modern voters who travel and move regularly.

Posted by Barnett Zitron on 12/08/2008 @ 01:47PM PST

Having worked in the IT area for over 45 years it would seem to me that a database could be created on a national basis which would provide a means to verify a person's legal status in order to vote. It does not have to invade the voter's privacy and can be accessed by each municipal govt. for verification purposes. Having served on my own district's voting team and observed the process in Arizona, I would say most of the provisional ballots were do to people in the process of moving or just moved and their records did not catch up with them. This kind of issue should not be difficult to resolve using a shared database.

Posted by Rick Bilick on 12/08/2008 @ 03:35PM PST

Having worked in the IT area for over 45 years it would seem to me that a database could be created on a national basis which would provide a means to verify a person's legal status in order to vote. It does not have to invade the voter's privacy and can be accessed by each municipal govt. for verification purposes. Having served on my own district's voting team and observed the process in Arizona, I would say most of the provisional ballots were do to people in the process of moving or just moved and their records did not catch up with them. This kind of issue should not be difficult to resolve using a shared database.

Posted by Rick Bilick on 12/08/2008 @ 03:35PM PST

The better idea is to have voter registration as an automatic adjunct to citizenship.  It could be entered at the same time as registration for Social Security and all that would be required would be change-of-address notification to a central registry.  There should be random checking to guard against fraud, but the byzantine manner we now use for voter registration is undemocratic. Despite our federal system, I see no reason why this should not be standardized and maintained as a national database, rather than left to the vagaries of local law.

Posted by Robert Croog on 12/09/2008 @ 09:08AM PST

I think this is coming together nicely.  Perhaps Rick Bilick could summarize the best points that would work in a national database.

Posted by bill lavery on 12/09/2008 @ 04:15PM PST

Not having access to the database structures that exist currently in both the US Govt and each state Govt, I would be hard pressed to sketch out a workable structure. Having said that I think that if each state voting boards were to upload some basic information to be added to a national database as defined by the common US voting information needed i.e. name, address, other voting registration data, this would be a start to creating that relational database. Obviously protected information like social security number, if required would make this database secure so only the Voting board employees a would have access. Creating this database would allow a local Voting Board to download information closer to the election period and give them only individual data associated with their district. They could then create their rolls when election requires it. This would also eliminate dual voter registrations where they reside in multiple places.
This idea will need a lot more thought and input before a workable plan would be developed...

Posted by Rick Bilick on 12/10/2008 @ 07:02AM PST

I wholeheartedly agree with Tate Houseman "....8 states already have Election Day Registration, and none of them have trouble with staffing, supplies or background checks. All those states have significantly higher turnout than states without Election Day Registration (10-12%)."

Posted by Gay Weidlich on 12/10/2008 @ 09:09AM PST

I think this will be a very good idea, with all of the modern technology that is available to verify and voters are eligible to vote. I feel many more people will turn out to vote; mainly because it will be one trip to the polls.

Posted by Linda Banks on 12/12/2008 @ 06:25AM PST

SUPPORTERS OF EDR!

This is Vinnie Ochoa, a member of the Maryland PIRG chapter who is currently coordinating a campaign to pass legislation in Maryland to enact same-day registration. 

After running an intense and successful voter registration program at the University of Maryland, we have seen widespread interest which we want to maintain.  However, many problems arise when young voters, people who move frequently, and/or minorities get to the polls.  Same-day registration can cure these issues and promote voter participation.  A democracy can only work when its people vote and their votes are counted! 

If you are from the Maryland area and want EDR, live in another state and know about campaigning for EDR, or are knowledgeable about your states election day registration policies please contact me via my profile page.

Posted by Vinnie Ochoa on 12/17/2008 @ 06:33PM PST

Election day registration along with a $20 tax credit for voting seems to be both possible and patriotic.  What's the next step?

Posted by bill lavery on 12/18/2008 @ 04:39PM PST

and how do you propose to limit fraud?? 

Posted by James Bradley on 12/27/2008 @ 03:50PM PST

Nine states (and several other countries) have same-day registration.  In most states, the registrant must show an ID (not required for a regular registration!). It is also possible for same-day-registrant ballots to be treated as provisional, allowing plenty of time to reconfirm voter data. Either way, same-day registration increases turnout by 12%.
Note, BTW, that there is basically no evidence of people multiple-voting, in person, in US elections, even if their names remain on the election rolls at more than one address.  You can additionally limit fraud the same way you do it in other countries--dot everyone's hand with indelible ink, so they can't go somewhere and vote twice.
http://www.southernstudies.org/2007/03/boost-for-democracy-election-day.html
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20081206/NEWS09/812060327/-1/NEWS04
or, from wikipedia (which happens to be up to date, I believe): "Nine states have some form of Election Day Registration: Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Wisconsin and Wyoming. (Montana enacted the practice for the first time in 2006. North Carolina first implemented their plan in the fall of 2007. And Iowa begins EDR in 2008). (Connecticut also has EDR, but only for casting votes for the Presidency. It should also be noted that North Dakota has no voter registration requirement at all.) "

Posted by Joy Sabl on 12/28/2008 @ 05:37AM PST

It's worked in Minnesota for over 20 years, and has been so successful that it's widely imitated. We should do it everywhere.

Posted by Shodo Spring on 12/30/2008 @ 05:52PM PST