Same-Day Voter Registration Bills Introduced in Both Houses of Congress

October 30th, 2009

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.

4 Responses to “Same-Day Voter Registration Bills Introduced in Both Houses of Congress”

  1. Demo Rep Says:
    October 30th, 2009 at 8:54 am

    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.

  2. JP Oddo Says:
    October 30th, 2009 at 11:38 am

    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?

  3. Jim Riley Says:
    October 30th, 2009 at 1:50 pm

    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.

  4. Demo Rep Says:
    October 30th, 2009 at 8:25 pm

    One more law to federalize State/local elections – to avoid the cost of separate election systems.

    Are the States now just about DEAD ???