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* AP…
The sponsor of legislation that allowed same-day voter registration for Illinois’ Nov. 4 election is working to make the change permanent.
Sen. Don Harmon said Wednesday he’s working with House lawmakers on an election law bill that could advance early next month.
The Oak Park Democrat says same-day registration was “an extraordinarily successful experiment and one that’s worth continuing.”
The provision expired after this past election.
* The Question: Should same-day registration be made permanent? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please, particularly if you want some changes made.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:06 pm
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Extraordinarily successful? Not according to any election authority who struggled to make it work it wasn’t.
Comment by poll watcher Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:09 pm
Voted “yes”…
It needs to be better run and more available.
Still believe; purple dye of the thumbs on General Election, blue and red, accordingly, for primaries.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:12 pm
Absolutely. We should make it as easy as possible for somebody to vote. If you are eligible then there is no reason you shouldn’t be able to register on the same day.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:12 pm
Voting should be as easy as possible. There is no justification for preventing people from registering and voting. The crusade against so-called voter fraud has come up empty.
Comment by DuPage Dave Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:12 pm
Too much opportunity for fraud! Too much employee power on an already busy day! Plan a h e a d .
Comment by G.I.Joe Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:14 pm
Yes- we ought to make it as easy as possible for anyone eligible to vote. Just need to make things run more smoothly by lessons learned this past election.
Comment by Archiesmom Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:16 pm
I voted “no.” Why can’t we expect citizens to register in a timely manner? We allow registration practically up until Election Day as it is. What sort of voter are we trying to attract with same day registration?
Comment by Anon E. Moose Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:17 pm
There are 3 other ways to vote: early voting, absentee ballot & election day. There is no valid reason that a person can’t register and vote in one of those 3 manners. Same day registration adds another element of compliance on a day with enough confusion & concern.
Comment by Veritas Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:17 pm
===Too much opportunity for fraud===
How, exactly?
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:19 pm
To Anon at 1:17, I think legal voters are the type this program is trying to attract.
Comment by Bourbonrich Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:22 pm
==What sort of voter are we trying to attract ==
What is that supposed to mean? Not in favor of people who are eligible to vote actually voting? We have some sort of weeding out process I’m unaware of. “Sorry, we don’t think you’re the type of person that should vote.” That’s just asinine.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:22 pm
I want as many people as possible to participate in the governing of their jurisdictions by voting for the leaders who will operate the business of government.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:26 pm
There are two reasons to oppose same day registration 1) to protect against election fraud and 2) partisan advantage.
The unintended consequence of the razor thin Treasurer’s race was that armies of lawyers and volunteers from both parties watched the Cook and Chicago Board of Elections under a microscope for two weeks during the first election where same day registration was allowed. If there was same day registration election fraud going on here it would have been found. The only valid uncovered errors had to do with mail ballots and not same day registration. No same day registration election fraud was found in a heavily scrutinized election.
So then that just leaves reason #2.
Comment by The Captain Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:26 pm
Of course. It’s a big success.
One lesson I learned hanging out at 69 West Washington until 10:45 that night is a bunch of people would have voted early during the grace period…except the grace period registration sites closed at 5 pm every weekday. And these people couldn’t get off work. Election day registration was open until 7 pm, so that was the first opportunity these people had to register and vote after 5 pm on a weekday.
We should require one day a week that grace period registration stay open until 8 pm or so and relieve some of the traffic on election day.
Comment by Dan Johnson Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:27 pm
Voted yes. More than almost anything else, same-day voter registration increases turnout and increased turnout is good for (small d) democracy.
Comment by ThinkTangerine Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:33 pm
Yes. It should be expanded to more locations but there needs to be a way to have it run more smoothly. My hope is that same day registration will help increase turnout among young people.
Comment by RoPo Ranger Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:37 pm
Voted ‘no’. Registering voters on Election Day in the middle of the day is not the problem. It’s from 6 to 8 in the morning and after 5 in the afternoon when most of the voters cast. If as a condition, you make Election Day registration from say 9 to 4, I’ll change my vote. Otherwise you need to increase election judges at each precint (sp)and that is not going happen.
Comment by Bogey Golfer Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:37 pm
I voted no. It is already extremely easy to register and to vote. Not that it should be difficult, but I don’t see why there needs to be an extra layer of confusion on the day. You couldn’t get an absentee ballot 40 days out and then have it sent back by the Monday before? You couldn’t find a single time that worked with your schedule during the early voting period? I just don’t get it and I don’t buy that taking this away would be in any way voter suppression.
Comment by Alex P. Keaton Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:42 pm
Voted No… Far too complicated to be certain the votes are valid. The chances of improper registrations are far too high. Have a system that minimizes risk. If you are too lazy to follow the system, too bad…
Comment by Walter Mitty Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:43 pm
I didn’t vote. In almost anything else we do with the government, we are expected to have forms, etc., filled out beforehand. It makes the logistics of organizing millions of people more realistic and affordable. I see no reason to burden the system with last-minute logistical problems.
I also think this has little to do with “making sure anyone who wants to vote can do so”. Rather, my take on it is that Democrats recognize non-voters are more likely to vote for them if/when they can be convinced to vote. They want to make it as easy as possible they think it gives them an electoral advantage.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/11/01/our-country-leans-democratic-our-elections-dont-necessarily/
Still, I didn’t vote on this because, despite all that, I do agree that voting shouldn’t be a tedious affair. If, for whatever reason, you can’t do it at the DMV or online or by mail (and so on, and so forth…)–well, this is another way to make it possible. And IF the logistics and expenses are unreasonable, I support.
Problem is, I don’t know the logistics and cost enough to reach a final conclusion. I hope that the legislators involved actually research those details instead of voting their party’s electoral preference!
Comment by liandro Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:46 pm
Oh, proof-reading…sigh. Meant to say “if the logistics and expenses are reasonable, I would support it”.
Comment by liandro Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:48 pm
Does not make any difference what one thinks.
The Democrats want it. It will pass.
Will Rauner sign it?
Comment by Federalist Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:49 pm
The current participation rate in elections should be reason enough to encourage any additional ways to register people to vote. Yes.
Comment by Rockford's Finest Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:56 pm
I guess I don’t have a problem with it, so long as an undue percentage of resources don’t have to be devoted to it. I especially don’t want to hear people complain that they have to wait longer than people already registered. Of course you will. Part of me still feels like we shouldn’t cater to that small portion of the population who does the absolute minimum and can’t plan ahead.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:56 pm
The State needs to help pay for all the extra hours and staffing it takes the election authorities for to met the mandates.
Comment by downstate demo Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:57 pm
Voted Yes. Seems to me saying “It is already extremely easy to register and to vote.” Is akin to saying: “There’s no hunger in the world, because I just ate.” The poorer you are, the more challenging your circumstances- the more difficult it is to manage ’simple tasks’. So to Senator Harmon, I say: Everybody in- Nobody left out.
Comment by West Sider Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:03 pm
I voted no. I’m still of the belief that voting is a right AND a privilege. Hard to know what the next step is; vote now, register later? It’s already a pretty easy and convenient process. I would suggest to everyone here suggesting that it increases turnout to look again at those numbers. While it’s absolutely someone’s right to vote as an “afterthought”, I’m not among those who would encourage it. Voting on purpose, no matter who you vote for, is laudable.
Comment by A guy... Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:04 pm
Yes!
We should do all we can to make sure everyone who is eligible and wants to vote can vote. Many of the people, as highlighted in the media stories about the lines in Chicago, did think they were registered and needed to fix something with their registration on Election Day.
Should be available at all polling locations to avoid bottlenecks.
Many states have done this for decades and - like other accusations of fraud - there is no evidence to back it up. States with Election Day Registration have higher voter participation rates.
Comment by abescarr Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:05 pm
Went to college in Wisconsin where they used to have it. I believe walker nixed it. It was run at every polling place in a separate line and was extremely efficient. You showed a piece of mail from a utility company, photo Id, or lease you voted like everyone else. If you didn’t have any of those you signed a sworn affidavit and voted provionally. Seems like when we have a third of registered voters voting we should be expanding opportunities to vote.
Comment by Come on man! Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:07 pm
Voted no because I’m not sure our voting system is very sophisticated and able to handle it yet. Seems like we should put it into the future and have a solid plan for implementation.
All that being said, I could be easily persuaded by the professionals. Is Ron Michelson a commentor on here?
Comment by Ahoy! Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:07 pm
I think we need to re-visit the whole concept of Election Day. Let’s make it Election MONTH with 24-hour computer voting stations available for the entire month. No IDs required ever. Although they are required in every aspect of life, it’s “racist” and “suppression” to require them in voting.
Deadlines hold people back and hurt their feelings. We need to require banks to do all banking activities without requiring any deadlines or identification requirements. I’m tired of all the suppression and racism in banking.
While we’re at it, let’s go to all mail voting. Vote fraud doesn’t exist, although individuals are convicted of it every cycle, including here in Illinois. As long as it’s not widespread or systematic, it’s fine.
Finally, we should do away with all deadlines and rules established to be a candidate. No petitions should be required. Ever. Maybe you could just call the election authority to be a candidate. Notarized petitions? Pshaw. That’s a poll tax, racist! Uniformly bound petitions? Suppression! Deadline for filing? Heck no! Just whenever you get around to it, is fine. And anybody should be able to sign those petitions because they may someday fulfill all those “onerous” requirements to become a voter.
Voting is such a strict and regulated process in our racist establishment state that the Secretary of State’s office does not allow it as a form of address verification.
Comment by LincolnLounger Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:09 pm
An absolute disaster unless you are in favor of polling places being open until 3 AM on the morning after the election.
Comment by Under Further Review Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:12 pm
Yes, increasing the number of voters should always be a goal. I agree with OW, the purple paint works in other countries, why not ours?
Comment by 100 Miles West Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:15 pm
As a former election judge I say yes. Besides being a convenience for a number of voters, hopefully same-day voting will boost the turn out.
Question: has anyone seen any studies on how voter turn out might be if elections were held on another day besides a Tuesday? I am wondering if, for example there might be a higher turn out on Saturdays
Comment by Earl Shumaker Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:16 pm
Yes…make it as easy as possible and convenient for those eligible to vote.
Comment by Finally Out (formerly Ready to Get Out) Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:19 pm
Yes.
It’s easy for political geeks like most of us commenters to forget how regular people think and act. Most people do not have a mental, let alone a physical, countdown calendar starting in October.
Philosophically, I believe that the bigger danger is to disenfranchise a legitimate voter than to enfranchise an illegitimate voter. Again, many of the people who would read and comment on this blog don’t always realize how big an obstacle registration really is.
Last, the days of mass in person vote fraud are long gone, even in Chicago. Sure, there are great stories to tell, but they’re like stories of the Wild West: probably exaggerated, and certainly not a description of current shenanigans.
And same day registration was pretty much a success everywhere but in Chicago. Chicago can make it work better next time, though.
Comment by VM Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:20 pm
I second Oswego Willy’s comment and simple way of implementing it.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:20 pm
I sat all day in the county’s same day polling place and it was busy–a little confusing because it was new, but the clerk (of the opposite party) and staff did an excellent job adapting and accommodating everyone they could. More training and experience needed, but totally worthwhile and strongly favor continuing. No evidence of any attempted fraud at all!
Comment by D.P.Gumby Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:21 pm
Hand out ballots just like All-Star Ballots and set up 900 numbers for phone in voting. Finally, allow others to vote via retweets on Twitter or likes on Facebook.
The real votes, ironically, come from the wealthy lefties who have moved to Arizona, Texas and Florida, meaning they voted for Jan Brewer, Rick Perry and Rick Scott over Pat Quinn.
Comment by Seriously though.... Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:24 pm
==An absolute disaster unless you are in favor of polling places being open until 3 AM on the morning after the election.==
Yes, by all means, lt’s use the more than anticipated popularity of the option a reason to discontinue it, as opposed to learning how popular it is and planning better for it in the future.
Comment by Concerned Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:32 pm
Yes. The Captain 1:26pm nailed it.
Comment by walker Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:37 pm
You can register at the Secretary of State’s Motor Vehicle Facilities, you can register at the library, you can register at the County Clerk or the Election Commission offices, you can register online, you can register by mail, etc. How much easier and simpler can it be?
If someone is so careless or indifferent to voting and public affairs that being able to register 45 weeks annually is too difficult for them, why should they be allowed to register on election day?
Comment by Under Further Review Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:40 pm
===If someone is so careless or indifferent to voting and public affairs that being able to register 45 weeks annually is too difficult for them, why should they be allowed to register on election day? ===
Turn that on its head. If we allow registration for 45 weeks, why not 52?
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:41 pm
I started out today as a soft “No” because I felt like the same-day rewarded laziness or indifference, but I’m coming around to the Yes camp based on the thoughtful comments here.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:51 pm
“If someone is so careless or indifferent to voting and public affairs that being able to register 45 weeks annually is too difficult for them, why should they be allowed to register on election day?”
I think that in a democracy, you should have to provide reasons why NOT to allow someone to vote. It’s extremely weird how many of your are trying to shift the burden so that people have to justify their rights.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:52 pm
No. We already have motor voter, provisional ballots, early voting, vote by mail for any reason, on line voter registration, on line absentee request, etc, all to make it real “easy”. I don’t think it’s increased turnout much if at all. It adds time and cost for the clerks and confusion for the election judges. It does help the lawyers though because instead of election “day” we now have a weeks-long slog and more things to fight about.
Comment by Put the Fun in unfunded Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:57 pm
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:41 pm:
===If someone is so careless or indifferent to voting and public affairs that being able to register 45 weeks annually is too difficult for them, why should they be allowed to register on election day? ===
Turn that on its head. If we allow registration for 45 weeks, why not 52?
Because the logistics (and often expenses) of last-minute organizing of large groups of people are much more difficult than the logistics of having a few weeks notice? Those final few weeks are as easily done as the first 45.
Comment by liandro Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:58 pm
To be fair, a sizeable portion of the government organizing I’ve seen has been state-level or military–entirely possible the election offices are better! The numbers a the local level are quite as unwieldy. Chicago would need the most logistical support.
Comment by liandro Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 3:01 pm
Man, I’m too distracted to properly write sentences today. Supposed to be:
“The numbers at the local level are NOT quite as unwieldy.”
I’m just going to ignore all the other grammatical errors I made…
Comment by liandro Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 3:04 pm
My concern about same-day voter registration is that it is a bit cumbersome. I observed checking of ballots for Frerichs campaign. Each “grace period” registrant has to be checked if s/he voted somewhere else.
Also, what’s the point of registering when you get your drivers license if there’s same-day registration available?
Would people try to avoid jury duty by not registering to vote?
In general I like same-day registration but I’d like to avoid it being “normal”. Does this make sense?
I think Illinois should be liberal allowing it for younger voters, those that have recently moved & infrequent voters, but keep an eye on whether people are blowing-off better opportunities to register.
Comment by Carl Nyberg Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 3:08 pm
Many jurisdictions don’t have the technology to allow it to be done in the regular polling places with adequate assurance of the voter getting the correct ballot configuration (in precincts where there is more than one configuration, which is fairly common).
If it is to be made a regular option going forward, it will likely have to be done at limited locations, like it was for this election.
Comment by titan Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 3:10 pm
Does anyone actually believe it’s possible to properly have a prospective voter fill out registration forms and have David Orr’s clowns:
1) Verify that the person is a citizen of the United States and eligible to vote,
2) Verify that the person in fact resides at the specified address, and has done so long enough to be eligible to vote at that address, and
3)Verify that the person registering is, in fact, the person that they claim to be in the registration and no one else has registered under that name, and
4) Verify that the person registering is not registered to vote anywhere else either inside or outside of Illinois.
..and get this all done in a matter of hours on elcetion day? If you do, I have this great ocean front property in Arizona in which you might be intersted…..
Comment by Arizona Bob Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 3:13 pm
Oh, in case you couoldn’t guess, I voted NO.
Comment by Arizona Bob Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 3:14 pm
LincolnLounger for comment of the month.
Comment by Brave New World Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 3:27 pm
It is like the expansion of Christmas in reserve.
Now, we have stores opening earlier and earlier on Thanksgiving. Maybe if have same day voter registration and voting is such a success; could it be the Big Box stores will not be far behind with same day shopping on Christmas Day?
Comment by downstate demo Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 3:27 pm
== If we allow registration for 45 weeks, why not 52? ==
My general feelings as well, with one caveat.
Some time or instant method is necessary to verify the eligibility of said voters and ensure only one vote per person. Oswego Willy’s suggestion, used in many parts of the globe, efficiently ensures one person, one vote.
If we can next find a way of getting our electronic record keeping up to speed, there is no excuse for not doing this. Sync the obituaries and voter rolls to within a 24 or 48-hour window, etc, and make it happen.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 3:34 pm
Rich -
I think it is important for your readers to understand that currently Election Day registration ballots are cast as provisional ballots, allowing time for election authorities to ensure the ballots are authentic as AZBob “demands” , which is why the process takes time and is complicated as some commenters have also suggested.
There are some things we can do to streamline the process, but the argument that Election Day registration ballots are somehow more susceptible to fraud is patently false. On the contrary, those ballots see much higher scrutiny as the current election just demonstrated.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 3:35 pm
I’m a “No” on this. From talking to our County Clerk, it was way more hassle and fraught with problems than it was/is worth. If someone wants to vote, there is ample time to register in the usual manner.
Comment by BehindTheScenes Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 3:36 pm
“Would people try to avoid jury duty by not registering to vote?”
That reasoning is no longer applicable to Illinois because the prospective jurors are now selected using a variety of lists, not merely voting records.
Comment by Under Further Review Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 3:38 pm
@ Arsenal, are you a fan of the team?
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 3:40 pm
How about amending the Constitution of the United States of America to include a Right to Vote!
Comment by Del Clinkton Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 3:43 pm
Should we also allow politicians to get on the ballot same day?
Comment by Homer J. Simpson Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 3:44 pm
Arizona Bob: That’s the way the process should be but is water under the bridge now, unfortunately.
Comment by Brave New World Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 3:46 pm
There are myriad opportunities to register to vote. At the library, through the mail, online, at the SOS office, etc. There is no excuse for people not to avail themselves of one of these incredibly easy methods in advance of an election.
Comment by Independent Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 3:53 pm
People are moving, working, etc., and busy. Voting and registration should as easy as can be. Official state ID required.
Comment by Parent Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 3:59 pm
Voting should be made as easy as possible. More opportunities to vote expands the democratic process.
Comment by Phlegm Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 4:00 pm
Since Rauner favors same-day registration, unlike the GOP legislators who opposed it, the legislature should approve it.
Comment by anon Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 4:04 pm
@Arizona Bob:
They don’t count the votes until that information is verified. So your arguments are all moot.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 4:07 pm
Yes. I also think every person in Illinois over the age of 18 who is a citizen should have a ballot mailed to them. We need to make voting as simple as possible for everyone who is eligible to vote.
Comment by Cheryl44 Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 4:16 pm
The days that all you constitution people yearn to return to made sure that only white landed males over the age of 21 could vote, if you could afford the poll tax that is.
Comment by Madison Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 4:26 pm
I voted no only because if same day registration is going to happen there needs to be an increase of manpower in polling places and an increase in the number of election judges who know what they’re doing and I do not feel that is going to happen.
Comment by MEP Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 4:36 pm
Way too much opportunity for fraud. I live in Evanston and Northwestern students take special delight in voting absentee at home and then voting on campus. They think because it’s the Chicago way of voting early and often, it’s ok. There is no procedure in place to monitor this and elections are stolen by less votes than this fraud perpetrates. It is done at every college campus.
Comment by north shore cynic Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 4:37 pm
Poll taxes were minimal and usually were used to fund the operating expenses associated with administering elections. Such taxes existed throughout much of the USA (North and South) until the Sixties.
There were other discriminatory procedures used by segregationists to disenfranchise minority voters, but the case against poll taxes was fairly weak in comparison.
Comment by Under Further Review Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 4:38 pm
@ Amalia, yup, ever since I read “Fever Pitch” (though it helps to now have the EPL consistently on U.S. television).
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 4:59 pm
Are the headaches of verification and delay worth it in terms of increased turnout? There wasn’t any obvious turnout increase this year, in fact turnout was lower, so I vote no.
Comment by Anonymoiis Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 5:00 pm
No, and I generally am in agreement with ease of voting, early voting has been great, but my feeling is the two week grace period we had before was sufficient time.
Comment by low level Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 5:00 pm
I was in the field on election day. This is a stupid provision. It causxes the election authorities unnecessary trouble and expense because these folks all show at the end of the day and cause huge lines. This is just plain dumb.
Comment by chad Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 5:07 pm
I really wish this came with a 3rd option.
Comment by A modest proposal Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 5:10 pm
North shore cynic:
What a steaming pile of letter.
All voter registration records in Illinois are digitally linked and identifying any two voters in Illinois who have the same name and date-of-birth is pathetically easy. A junior high student could catch you.
Stop inventing facts. If you knew any students who had done it, you would have turned them in already.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 5:42 pm
Unduly delays voting in high traffic precincts.
Maybe during early voting where there is more
time to perform the registration operation
without delaying voting..
Comment by vince glothor Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 6:14 pm
I vote no because of the cost and logistical issues. The election workers who were registering new voters on election day could have been doing other things. People should plan ahead a bit and register in advance. The existing registration window is sufficiently large without doing it on election day.
Comment by Hit or Miss Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 6:22 pm
@Hit or Miss:
If cost is your concern, I suggest we prohibit voter registration the day after the election and permit it the other 364 days of the year.
Honestly, how disreputable is it for Republicans to argue we shouldn’t have same-day registration because it requires government employees to work too hard?
LOL
My advice to all of the Republicans who worry about the extraordinary cost of elections due to high volumes of voters is simple.
Republicans should stop voting.
If Republicans would just stop voting, we could cut the cost of elections in half.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 6:36 pm
Is it more important to let everyone who claims to be a voter vote or is it more important to make sure that the election results be legitimate?
Would you bank at a bank that he had no locks or fraud protection? Would you bank there if they kept telling you that they have no need for locks or for fraud protection? Isn’t our election is important is what has in a bank?
WHat would your response be if when you tell the bank without the locks or fraud protection that you would like to see some locks or fraud protection and they respond by telling you that you are just over cautious or worried about nothing?
You would not trust that bank and you would not put your money in that bank so why would you campaign in an election like that or why would you believe in the results of an election like that?
Advocates of same day registration are unaware of how important it is to trust the results of an election by all the votes. They fall into the trap of believing that the only legitimate election is the one with out locks because It had more voters.
You won’t drive a car with questionable quality control so why would you think that it is okay to have same day registration on election?
Voter participation and freedom to vote is important but an election result that is not trusted is voided.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 9:02 pm
Believe in DuPage County there were specific places for same day registration. Also as someone else said, believe they cast a Provisional Ballot….which essentially is worthless as it is not counted..UNLESS…there is a very tight race.
Comment by Product of the 60's Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 10:13 pm
I think Quinn was hoping for the next three days after the election.
Comment by Rollo Tomasi Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 12:23 am
I voted yes, but I would be curious to know the impact in rural areas. The only place available for grace-period registration in some counties was at the county clerk’s office, which is a long drive for many.
Comment by jeanne Dough Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 5:38 am
Yes, but we need to rethink the whole registration and election process and simplify it. Whether that’s making the day a national holiday or doing away with it all together through a combination of early, on-line and absentee voting. The model is outdated and its one of many reasons that turnout is abysmal.
Comment by pundent Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 8:51 am
Voted NO. It was a mess and didn’t fix any problem. All the people who can’t seem to find time to register, any post office or library can do it today.
Comment by Toure's Latte Friday, Nov 21, 14 @ 8:59 am