If a couple ballot measures pass on Nov. 8, Colorado could move a bit closer to the goal of becoming an actual democracy, 140 years after it achieved statehood. Propositions 107 and 108 would restore the presidential primary election to the state and allow all registered voters, including those who are unaffiliated, to participate. So, if these measures pass, in 2020 Coloradans won’t have to depend on folks in places like Iowa and New Hampshire to select presidential candidates. It’s a step in the right direction, but there’s still a long way to go. Why, in 2016, with all our whiz-bang technology, is it still so hard to vote? (Let’s pause here while we contemplate the obvious cynical reasons.)
It doesn’t have to be. Several states are taking a big step toward reducing barriers to participation by making voter registration automatic. It’s beyond simple. When citizens have interacted with state government by applying for a driver’s license or some other state service, upon turning 18 they will be notified that, unless they opt out, they will be registered to vote.
Oregon was the first state to enact automatic voter registration. The governor signed the bill last year; the system was created in a matter of months; and the state of about 4 million people expects to register more than 200,000 new voters by November.
In the meantime, Connecticut, Vermont, California and West Virginia also have made voter registration automatic, and similar measures are under consideration in about 20 other states.
Colorado is not one of them.
Full Article: The obvious case for automatic voter registration.