Initiative for Universal Voter Registration

[eridani]

I am writing in regards to a project that is gaining momentum in the state of Washington. A state ballot initiative has been proposed for the first Universal Voter Registration program in the nation. As you may know, today 25% of the eligible voting population is not registered to vote and therefore unable to voice opinions on issues pertinent to their everyday lives. A majority of those unregistered are disenfranchised minorities, unable to fight for their fundamental right to cast a ballot and have their opinion heard due to the bureaucracy that has engulfed the voter registration process.

As we gain support here in the state we are looking for individuals who will help us in our pursuit of a more just voter registration program. It is our belief that a more just program can be found in our proposal. We have proposed extending the Motor/Voter Act by tying voter registration to: 1) Obtaining a drivers license, 2) Renewing a driver's license, and 3) Applying/Obtaining a state ID. By making voter registration an automatic function we have created a process for eligible disenfranchised voters to gain access to the political arena and have a voice in the political process. Furthermore, as Washington State moves to become the second all-absentee state in the country, a perfect scenario occurs in that the passage of this ballot initiative would yield 1.6 newly registered voters, all of whom would receive their ballot in the mail along with the rest of the voting population.

With Washington State being a democratic strong hold, the Democratic Party has much to gain from an Initiative of this sort. Having had a long history of supporting progressive reforms this ballot measure seeks justice for those who has long reaped the injustices of a broken registration system.

Having knowingly proposed this Initiative for the 2007 election cycle, while truly seeking to be on the 2008 ballot, we have been able to take comments and feedback from organizations and scholars around the country (One such proposal we are seriously considering is the option of an opt-out clause that would circumnavigate any legal questions concerning freedom of expression.) On your website it states, "The American National Election Studies (ANES) produces high quality data on voting, public opinion, and political participation to serve the research needs of social scientists, teachers, students, policy makers and journalists who want to better understand the theoretical and empirical foundations of national election outcomes." We are writing to ask your opinion on this ballot measure, and if you approve of it, to help us in our pursuit of a more just and sound voter registration program by donating to the Committee to Enact I-975. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to call me and I look forward to speaking with you in the future.

Kramer Phillips
Campaign Manager
Committee to Enact I-975
804 East Alder Street
Walla Walla, Washington 99362
Phone: [phone]
kramerphillips {at} gmail.com
Website: http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/initiatives/people.aspx

[TechBear_Seattle]

1. And of those who ARE registered to vote...

Fewer than half ever bother.

There is no lack of opportunity to register to vote; however, the choice of candidates too often makes voting a pointless excercise. If you get people to want to vote, and the problem of non-registration will fix itself. If you do not get people to want to vote, then universal voter registration is a vast waste of resources.

[eridani]

2. We have to get people more involved in the public sphere by any means

I'm doing this by being a PCO and talking to my neighbors.