Automatic voter registration has become a zeitgeisty election reform for Democrats, since Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) signed the state’s first-in-the-nation measure into law and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton advocated for the method. Now, a voting rights group is making the proposal the centerpiece of its 2016 effort. The group, called iVote, will announce Monday that it will focus its efforts on creating campaigns to enact automatic voter registration laws in multiple states across the country, including swing states crucial to next year’s presidential election. The group plans to spend six to seven figures on the campaign. “We should be looking for ways to make it easier to vote and increase participation, not more burdensome to vote and suppress participation,” said Ellen Kurz, iVote’s founder and president. “Automatic voter registration will be a monumental step in guaranteeing more voters have their voices heard on Election Day.”
In March, Oregon adopted legislation that will automatically register eligible Oregonians through the state Department of Motor Vehicles. Over 300,000 Oregonians are expected to be added to the rolls with universal registration. The state will notify voters that they have been registered and give them the opportunity to opt out before they are sent a ballot.
After Oregon went ahead with its proposal, a number of state legislatures followed. Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) introduced similar legislation in the House of Representatives last month.
Full Article: Voting Rights Group Pushes Automatic Registration As 2016 Issue.