Doting about Voting

The State House of Representatives will be hosting a hearing on a couple of important bills involving your soul, and your direct control over it. Just kidding. They are two bills that make voting more accessible to Washington voters.

Eric Holder, the United States Attorney General, recently stated that voter registration is an outdated and artificial barrier to voting. In fact, most developed countries do not have voter registration, it is simply expected that you will exercise your right and responsibility to vote when you reach voting age.  H.B. 2203 is a step toward the goal of removing voter registration.

“Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy but unfortunately there is not equal access to voter registration, especially for young potential voters,” said Rep. Andy Billig (D – Spokane), who has introduced a bipartisan measure that would enable 16- and 17-year-old youth to preregister to vote when obtaining their first driver’s license.

Voter Registration for 16 & 17 year olds – House Bill 2205:  A bill that will allow 16 & 17 years to register to vote (they still can’t actually vote until they are 18).
More than 40% of new voters register to vote when they get their driver’s licenses.  This option is not currently available to many young potential voters who get their driver’s license at 16 or 17. So, it is no surprise that the 18-24 age group is the lowest registered age group.  H.B. 2205 will create life-long voters and provide equal access to voter registration.

Vote to the Deadline – House Bill 2204 would let citizens register to vote up to 5 p.m. on election day. Right now, state law cuts people off from registering to vote 29 days before elections if you do it online and eight days before the election when you do it live, in person, at your friendly county auditor’s office.  Same day voter registration is proven to promote voter participation in states where it is allowed.