New Washington D.C. Bill Would End Voter Registration As You Know It

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

https://boltsmag.org/washington-dc-bill-voter-registration/#.YyEPZOK81G4.twitter

Washington, D.C., may soon do away with voter registration as most Americans know it. Under a new bill, set to have its first council hearing on Friday, D.C. would mail ballots to people it knows are eligible, even if they are not registered.

Drawing inspiration from Colorado, which many voting-rights experts characterize as the national standard for accessibility, the city would take information it collects when residents interact with the Department of Motor Vehicles and other agencies to maintain a constantly-updating list of people who are “preapproved” to vote. For people on that list, all there would be left to do is to vote come election time.

“Traditionally, registration has been used as a way to keep people from voting,” Charles Allen, the D.C. councilmember who is sponsoring the legislation, told Bolts. “It’s a way to be a gatekeeper as to who you think should be able to vote.”

Under Allen’s bill, voting itself would be the act of registration—at least for those the city identifies as prequalified. This would “make sure we are really reaching every single person we possibly can to make sure they can participate and have their voice heard,” Allen said.

*snip*

[lindysalsagal]

1. PA asks when you get a license. Easy. They have local retail shops

In every neighborhood.

[MagickMuffin]

2. Great idea, Would love to see exactly how this works

I can envision someone selling their ballot, so need more data on how this works.

[dchill]

3. This just makes sense.

[Farmer-Rick]

4. I have a voter's registration card here in TN

I never understood why that wasn't enough identification to vote.

Why do they even issue voter registration cards if they aren't going to ask for them to vote.