Same-day registration for voters is on the block

  • Article by: LORI STURDEVANT , Star Tribune
  • Updated: March 25, 2012 - 6:11 AM

Its demise would be a likely practical effect of the voter ID requirement.

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danmc88Mar. 24, 12 9:20 PM

LIAR LIAR PANTS ON FIRE! Election Day registration will absolutely continue with the Voter ID Amendment. Quit the lies and ascre tactics and report the truth, Lori.

ginny6Mar. 24, 1210:49 PM

It is irresponsible of the Republican party to be toying with our state constitution like this. Voters should reject this amendment - it is muddy, it has a lot of additional consequences such as problems for overseas military voting, absentee voting, and election day registration. It is a complete overhall of our election system and the extremists who are pushing it are trying to dupe the people.

orpheus90Mar. 25, 1212:13 AM

There's much that bothers me about the Voter ID Amendment. As it clearly is an attempt to obstruct and disenfranchise legitimate voters from exercising their constitutional right to vote, it's political mendacity at its worst, if not another step toward governance by autocratic plutocracy in this nation. Needless to say, it's also deeply troubling that the republicans have gotten this far in the amendment process without providing an evidence-based argument on the perils of fraudulent voting. Whatever the threat, it is apparently miniscule compared to the number of legitimate voters who stand to be either turned away or their votes discounted and relegated to a provisional pile on election day. Also, one wonders what sort of reportage will be available to the public on the numbers of voters who turned up at polls and were barred their right to vote. Politicians may prefer that such information not be reported because if the numbers of disenfranchised voters are large, the legitimacy of elected official's incumbency will be chronically subject to doubt. Gosh, what a way to build confidence in government!

ivehaditMar. 25, 12 5:40 AM

danmc88: "LIAR LIAR PANTS ON FIRE! Election Day registration will absolutely continue with the Voter ID Amendment." Just saying it does not make it true, dan. Knowing the republican agenda to keep eligible voters away from the polls, unregistered voters on election day will be out of luck until the next election.

stinamond5Mar. 25, 12 8:11 AM

If our esteemed representatives are actually worried about voter fraud,maybe we should have a special election to make sure they didn't get elected illegally the last time out. There logic puts every elected official in the state voted in with possible fraud.

merkinMar. 25, 12 8:23 AM

As an election judge for twenty years, I recommend voting no on this amendment. We've had same day registration since 1973 without any issues, but it suddenly becomes a problem when a couple of Republicans lost elections.

Additionally Republicans keep going on about fraud in the system, but can't come up with any examples other than a few felons and one person who voted absentee for her daughter. None of those issues will be resolved by a voter ID.

Same day registration should not only be retained, but encouraged. We need more people to exercise their civic duty and participate in democracy, not fewer.

grumpy42Mar. 25, 12 8:24 AM

ivehadit- Sure makes sense to me, the repubs want to keep people away from the polls so they can't vote for other repubs. This would surely give them a huge

owatonnabillMar. 25, 12 9:04 AM

I have no problem with same-day registration. If your name is not on the registered rolls, but if you show up carrying a current, valid ID with your name and address, and present a corroborating piece of evidence of residency (a utility bill, cable TV bill, etc.), then in my opinion the chances fraud are very, very low. If there would br question (such as ID but no corroborating piece of evidence establishing residency), then hold the ballot as "provisional" until residency can be proven. This disenfranchises no one.

norunnyeggsMar. 25, 12 9:12 AM

You get a provisional ballot. That proves that you can register on voting day. Sturdevant exposes herself as a liar and the print the commentary anyway?

johneramone4Mar. 25, 12 9:34 AM

As much as I am enjoying the fact that this amendment will make it much tougher onn fraudulent voters I am also receiving a certain degree of satisfaction from how much it chseses off all the fraudulent voters and their misguided supporters. It's my guilty pleasure.


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