As the United States moves toward the conclusion of the 2016 Presidential election cycle with only two months remaining, it seems that every issue that would be considered a non-partisan one has become exactly that, including the issue of automatic voter registration. The latest issue, which has become a hot button topic dividing the two political parties and ideological sides, is the issue of implementing automatic voter registration. The issue has come up in the national spotlight over recent weeks as New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a key figure in the Donald Trump campaign, recently vetoed legislation that would allow people getting drivers licenses, drivers permits or state IDs to be automatically enrolled in the voting process. “I continue to fully support efforts to increase voter registration” Gov. Christie said in a written statement following his vetoing of the bill on Thursday, August 18th.
The issue of voter registration and automatic registration has long divided Democrats and Republicans and liberals and conservatives, as each side has its varying opinions and beliefs as to why people should be automatically allowed to vote (mainly on the Democrat and liberal side) and while a majority of Republicans and conservatives who are opposed to it.
“This is just like a cocktail of fraud” the governor continued in his statement, echoing the belief of many Republicans and conservatives that increasing the right to vote automatically would increase the instances of voter fraud.
In New Jersey, a state that leans heavily Democrat, with 52 Democrats in the General Assembly and only 28 Republicans, along with Democrats controlling the State Senate, with 24 Democrats and 16 Republicans, the motion easily passed both houses. However, due to the ideological differences, between the two sides, Mr. Christie vetoed it.
Full Article: On the Vetoed NJ Automatic Voter Registration Bill.