Reid tells Legislature to act on election law

[NVMojo]

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., answers questions after his speech to state lawmakers Wednesday in Carson City.



CARSON CITY -- Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., called on state legislators Wednesday to repeal a state law that prevents people from registering to vote within a month of an election.

"With all the new technology, there is no reason why Nevada should close the door to registration one month before Election Day," said Reid during an 11-minute address to both houses of the state Legislature.

"This is about giving Nevadans a voice in our government," he added. "And that is something we should all be able to work and agree on."

While Reid's speech frequently was interrupted by cordial applause, there was silence following his call to change the registration deadline.

In a news conference following the speech, Reid said he actually favors registration on the day of an election, but that he would be happy with any change to reduce the month-long limit.

"I don't know why we have the antiquated system we have in Nevada," he said. "Some states have same-day registration."

Secretary of State Dean Heller said he thought Reid's suggestion caught legislators off-guard.

"I think it will be warmly received," said Heller, who advocates extending the registration period. "I think we should make it 24 hours (before an election), a week at the most."

Before making the recommendation, Reid told lawmakers he doesn't "often meddle in your business."

Each legislative session all members of Nevada's Congressional delegation address legislators. Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., delivers his speech this evening.

Reid, who is the U.S. Senate minority leader, noted his first trip to the Nevada Legislature was as a new Assemblyman in 1969. "It was a scary time, a real adjustment," he said.

While he has had setbacks, Reid declared he has lived the American Dream every day of his life. "I am grateful to the people of Nevada for permitting me to live that dream and to continue the trip I began here 36 years ago."

Reid spent much of his speech criticizing President Bush's plan to privatize and bail out Social Security.

"President Bush likes to say Social Security is in crisis as he travels across the country," Reid said. "Well, the Academy Awards are this Sunday night, and if they gave an Oscar for `crisis creation,' I'm certain the Bush White House would win in a landslide."

snip...

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Feb-24-Thu-2005/news/25931223.html

[sarcasmo]

1. "Crisis Creation" that's a classic, way 2 go Harry Reid, KICK

[NVMojo]

2. I really like that too, Go, Senator Reid!!!

[shance]

3. The 'new technology" is unfortunately the biggest invitation to fraud.

And apparently the simplest to implement.

I believe Reids intentions are certainly in the best place, however he needs to realize bandaids will only promote further denial on what is a huge technological problem which could totally eliminate the American Democratic voice.

[NVMojo]

4. I talked to a Dem in Reno about a month ago who had dinner with one

of Reid's DC staffers who is very intelligent ...and he said there was no election fraud ...I felt like banging my head on cement ...

[DRoseDARs]

5. Could it just be he says that semi-publicly to avoid being labelled...

...as a "left-wing conspiracy nut?"