BY JACQUELYN MOOREHEAD -- Rhode Island is making national news by becoming the ninth state to pass an Automatic Voter Registration bill, which automatically registers eligible citizens to vote when interacting with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
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Rhode Island is making national news by becoming the ninth state to pass an Automatic Voter Registration bill, which automatically registers eligible citizens to vote when interacting with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea has long championed AVR, saying it will clean up voter rolls and boost registration among previously underrepresented groups.
“I made a point of saying that we would have elections that are fair, fast and accurate,” Gorbea said at a press conference Tuesday at the State House. She continued, “Of course, having a clean voter list is critical to preserving the integrity of elections.”
“I love it when we can be in the top ten,” Governor Gina Raimondo said, adding, “I don’t have to remind everyone how important it is to vote. If you stay home, bad things can happen. Elections have consequences.”
Raimondo signed the legislation at the conference.
“While others talk about it, Rhode Island is getting it done,” Gorbea bragged.
She said when U.S. Representative David Cicilline introduced the Automatic Voter Registration Act, on a national level in June 2015, he announced it from her office. National legislation hasn’t been enacted, yet states are moving ahead.
Nothing is more essential than the right to vote, Cicilline said. The best way to respond to the efforts of people who really hijack our democracy is to ensure that many more people participate, and thats what voter registration does.
Citing the numbers, Gorbea said Oregon, the first state to enact AVR, had 226,000 voters registered through AVR in the first full year, 98,000 cast their ballots in the November election.
AVR enables voters to automatically update their voter information or register when working with the DMV. Any eligible citizen that provides identifying information to the DMV will automatically be registered to vote. People can opt out. Also, the system can update a voter’s address, avoiding the problem of duplicates and voters being in the wrong polling location.
Former West Virginia Secretary of State and mentor to Gorbea Natalie Tennant now works as manager of state advocacy at the Brennan Center for Justice, which she said conducted research and proposed AVR because it saves money, increases accuracy and participation and will add an additional 50 million voters to rolls permanently across the country. Additional voters will come from marginalized groups, adding diversity to the voting roles that was not as present before.
“We found that the registrations, those who registered, were younger. We’re more likely to live in suburban rather than urban areas. Some people may feel that as a surprise. More likely to live in low- or middle-income areas, more likely in lower education area, and more likely to live in racially diverse areas,” she said.
Gorbea worked with the General Assembly and the governor to enact online voter registry last year, where voters can update registration forms online. Together it is a joint effort to remove clutter in voting rolls and increase voter registration.
The bill was sponsored by Representative David Coughlin (D-Pawtucket) and Senator Gayle Goldin (D-Providence).
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Justanidiot
grate. now more illeagles can vote for the taxpayers mayer
sad
#MAGA
Thursday, August 3, 2017 Report this
richardcorrente
I wish they could Justanidiot. That would be "grate!"
But as far as this new legislation, I think it will increase total voter turnout and you and I agree that's a good thing. Here's something else that I have said for years. There should be a tax deduction certificate given to voters at the voting stations, to file with their tax returns. If you want more people to vote make it worth their while financially. We get deductions for children and for being married. Why not give one to encourage people to vote!
Think about it old friend. Most illegal aliens pay little or no taxes anyway so it won't effect them much, but for the rest of us it could be a good idea.
Happy Summer Justanidiot.
Happy Summer everyone.
Rick Corrente
The Taxpayers Mayor
Thursday, August 3, 2017 Report this
RISchadenfreude
Considering that we're talking about RI, I'm surprised that one isn't registered as a Democrat automatically by default.
What hypocrisy to see Sissylini and the rest of The Usual Suspects talking about election integrity and hijacking, particularly Giner; she wouldn't have won a runoff election (if RI had the mechanism in place for one).
Friday, August 4, 2017 Report this
VoWarwick2017
Just another way to mess with the Voter rolls. Notice it doesn't do much for the people that leave the state or die. In the last election there was enough smoke in Rhode Island's examination to prove that there is fire.
Friday, August 4, 2017 Report this
richardcorrente
Dear RISchadenfreude, and VOWarwick2017, (and, of course, Justanidiot too)
I think I like the legislation described above. Do you agree? Do you feel that there is a better plan? I respect your opinions.
What would you do different? Keep in mind, this legislation is supposed to increase TOTAL voter registration, not just one side or another. What do you think of offering those who actually vote a "voter certificate" to save a few dollars on their tax return?
Rick
Friday, August 4, 2017 Report this
VoWarwick2017
The bigger problem I have is that if you tie the registration process to a DMV "interaction" and then hand out state issued drivers licenses to illegal immigrants you have essentially just said that non-citizens are now allowed to have a say in how our state and country is being run.
I quite simply do not trust Rhode Island, there is too long a history of corruption for me to think that this is going to solve the problem.
Friday, August 4, 2017 Report this
Justanidiot
we kneed to return to traditional values in this country. only white male property owners should be allowed to vote.
#MAGA
Friday, August 4, 2017 Report this
richardcorrente
Dear VoWarwick2017,
I agree with you that illegal immigrants should be barred from the automatic voter system. In fact, I agree with you that they should not even be granted the drivers license. At one point or another we were all illegal immigrants but our grandparents and great-grandparents became legal citizens. Why are we making it easier for others to stay "illegal"? Doesn't make sense.
Rick
Sunday, August 6, 2017 Report this
Justanidiot
I agree with you that illegal immigrants should be barred from the automatic voter system. In fact, I agree with you that they should not even be granted the drivers license. At one point or another we were all illegal immigrants but our grandparents and great-grandparents became legal citizens. Why are we making it easier for others to stay "illegal"? Doesn't make sense.
and day say eyes iz da idiot
Monday, August 7, 2017 Report this
richardcorrente
Dear Justanidiot,
"Day" R rong.
Rick
Tuesday, August 8, 2017 Report this