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Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2009 > November > 03 > Entry
Editorial: Ohio can end ACORN-like voter-registration flaps
Voter registration has long been a fairly odd, largely American custom.
It is all about letting authorities who run elections know where you live, even though the people who give you your driver’s license already know. As do tax and Social Security authorities and probably many others.
Yet potential voters are required to do file more paperwork. Some don’t take the trouble, for whatever reasons. This leads some well motivated and/or politically motivated groups to reach out to them.
What results is registration paperwork that has to be processed by government employees; sometimes there are problems with the paperwork.
Does the word “ACORN” ring a bell? Last year saw a big flap about that well-meaning, but decidedly flawed, operation registering the likes of Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse.
That’s not as big a problem, since nobody is likely to show up to vote and declare himself to be Mr. Mouse. Moreover, ACORN insisted that it uncovered those who were playing games and reported their abuses.
At any rate, big flap. Lots of anguish. Lots of work.
And it was all largely pointless.
For many years, a lot of people who are knowledgeable about election management have said that the registration process can be eliminated, or at least combined with the voting process. Other states, not to mention other countries, have combined the processes. Their efforts have worked fine.
But this approach has been a tough sell in Ohio.
Now, however, comes along another idea that might be easier to sell, thanks to the arrival of the online age: automatic voter registration.
The idea is that, when the state gets information from you about where you live, in the process of giving you a driver’s license, the information is passed on to election boards, and — voila! — you are registered.
And when you move, and update your license info — voila! — you are re-registered. That practice wouldn’t get everybody registered, of course, but darn near. And there are other ways to reach most others in the same way: through their interaction with government.
Less hassle for voters. Less government bureaucracy. Fewer fights about how to prevent fraudulent registrations. Less involvement by the likes of ACORN. The idea hasn’t percolated long in Ohio, which is a problem, given how long it takes here to enact common-sense reforms.
But Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner is behind the idea. She has the support of the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University. That operation has also helped her run a couple of “summits” of election administrators and others after the 2008 election, with the goal of creating consensus on modern reforms.
Several proposals have resulted from the summits about early voting, voter identification, disputed ballots and more. However, automatic voter registration really didn’t get much attention at those sessions.
It deserves attention. Ohio should be eager to take advantage of the easy links between government agencies that result from the digital age. Many in the state want us to be seen as heavily into the new age of technology. Let’s see if the legislature agrees.
Permalink | Comments (13) | Post your comment | Categories: Editorials, Elections, Martin Gottlieb
Comments
By K C
November 3, 2009 10:53 AM | Link to this
The first question is “does this require action from the legislature or can it simply be enacted by SoS fiat”? There are so many sources for this information: local income tax returns; utility connects -water,gas & electric;county auditor, treasurer and recorder transactions; building permits… Many cities already share this information among internal operating departments. Extending it to the boards of election seems so simple and a no-brainer.
By Miles
November 3, 2009 11:10 AM | Link to this
Well, Husted should be against it, because he wouldn’t be allowed to vote… I don’t want the government getting between me and my voting booth!
By Miles
November 3, 2009 11:11 AM | Link to this
Well, Husted should be against it, because he wouldn’t be allowed to vote… I don’t want the government getting between me and my voting booth!
By Leslie
November 3, 2009 12:24 PM | Link to this
Great idea that way the illegals that have driver’s license and get SSI checks, and welfare would automatically be registered to vote! Washington state has something like this and only about 2,000 a year are found to be fraudulent votes. But then again what about the homeless how will they get registered? Real impressive is that the 911 terrorist would have been registered to vote as well. This just sounds like the best idea I have ever heard for maintaining the integrity of our election process.
By Rob
November 3, 2009 3:13 PM | Link to this
Vote by valid Social Security Number? Sure, why not? It is the year 2009 after all and nearly ALL readers do their taxes that way. You could cure the absentee fraud that way too. No, of course I can’t prove it…but I think it so there is that perception thingy…just think of how dems react to any mention of Florida voting. Seriously, they invented these things called computers and it looks like they may be catching on…
By Joe_Mamma
November 3, 2009 3:30 PM | Link to this
The Brennan Center for Justice also advocates in favor of voting rights for felons. I would assume, but I could be wrong that would include illegal aliens. They also advocate for a “living wage”. In the past they have received a large amount of their funding from billionaire and leftist activist George Soros’ Open Society Institute. They can be fairly looked at as having a radical left and socialist agenda.
By Raoul
November 3, 2009 4:09 PM | Link to this
In the past, most folks that wanted to vote registered. It was those that were too lazy or didn’t care that were targeted by the ACORN types. This was a way to get people that otherwise wouldn’t vote to vote. Having folks registered automatically through the use of technology makes sense, but also comes with serious side effects. It may throw the current balance way over to the left side of the political spectrum, since moderates and those on the right almost always vote already. If this were to play out, there could be a minority of Americans paying taxes to support the majority. It would not take long for such a system to collapse. But hey, it’s a free country (at least for those that don’t have to pay).
By bobby
November 3, 2009 5:55 PM | Link to this
“Some don’t take the trouble, for whatever reasons” is precisely why the requirement to register thirty days prior to the election should be maintained. Since when did your right to exist ENTITLE you to vote. The process of voter registration requires no more than a willingness to plan your life more than thirty days ahead and an elementary school education. Welcome to adulthood. There is not a trophy for everyone and the “dog ate my homework” will no longer be accepted as an excuse for your lack of responsibilities as a citizen.
By irishguy
November 3, 2009 6:38 PM | Link to this
The 1st step to rid Ohio of “Acorn-like voter registration flaps” would to get rid of the Assoc. of Community Organizers for Reform Now and their zeal to register the lazy and uninformed as democrats.
By Martin Gottlieb
November 3, 2009 8:05 PM | Link to this
To answer a question: It does require legislation.
By Martinisnicec'estoo
November 3, 2009 8:32 PM | Link to this
Irish, To ra loo ra loo ra…Or as Michael[little man] said in the Quiet Man, “So true,so true.
By Champsummers
November 4, 2009 9:08 AM | Link to this
Why should we make it we make it easier for people to vote? I want voters that are informed and knowledgeable on the issues. People that are passionate about the responsibility to vote. Fraud begins the ignorant apathetic voter.
By Cris
November 6, 2009 1:11 PM | Link to this
Exceptions that would have to be handled: Military are not required to renew their driver license while in active duty status. College students living in the dorms would be limited to vote at the home (parents) residence. (A result I actually agree with. They would then vote with the same address to which they likely also file taxes.) Echoing the above: How to exclude immigants (legal and illegal). To get a driver’s license does not currently require proof of citizenship. The voter registration process MUST require a positive assertion by the applicant that they are a US Citizen subject to election fraud penalties. The driver’s license process would now need to ask about this. What would happen to people who lose their license, either temporary or permanent? Example: Many MANY sobriety checkpoints, and also more speeding tickets these days as police depts need revenues. You should not automatically lose your voting rights while a DUI allegation is pending. So, would the driver’s license method be only to ADD voters but never to remove them? Probably so. Just some thoughts. The DMV “automatic registration” sounds simpler at first, but actually may be MORE complex than the current system.