My state just passed same day voter registration legislation.

[wildeyed]

It means that people will be able to register and vote on the same day, although it will only be during the early voting period to start.

Anyone organized in a state with same day registration? This law should make it easier to turn out highly mobile populations. Any tips on how to do it? I am excited and intrigued :)

[dragonlady]

1. This is a great step forward for your state

I was just explaining to someone today about the vote caging program of the Republicans that most likely cost Kerry/Edwards the election and left the world in four more years of misery. This is the cute trick of sending letters to military people and students while they're away from their registered addresses (summer vacation, deployment, etc.) and then getting them taken off the voter rolls if they don't respond. If they come in to vote on election day and find themselves not registered, there's nothing they can do--unless they live in a state with same-day registration! I've done poll watching here in Wisconsin and have seen that it's fairly common for people not to be found on the list in their proper ward. They just reregister on the spot and then take a ballot and vote. It's also very helpful for people who have moved into the ward recently and haven't gotten around to registering. And for people who finally get energized to vote in the last days of the campaign, they still have a chance to exercise their right.

[LiberalFighter]

2. It's better than what they had but not the same as election day registration

From what I understand NC has early voting up until 1 week prior to the election at their early voting stations.

http://www.demos.org/page52.cfm

Election Day Registration (Can register on election day and vote immediately)
Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, and Wyoming

No registration requirements
North Dakota

[LiberalFighter]

3. Wisconsin requires 2 forms of proof. 1 with photo and 1 proving residency

Proof of residency such as a utility bill not more than 90 days old.

[Kixel]

4. I'm in Minnesota...

And I am a political geek who has always registered to vote at the polls. I have always been a renter and never update. It's a painless process and I have never heard of any problems with voter fraud. It's a painless process!

It'll be a great tool closer to the election. When you talk to people who are uninformed about the process just know the laws. You can let people know what they need to take with them to register. It's easy and it really helps people from losing their right to vote.

Honestly, I would kick and scream if anyone tried to take it away. There are a lot of people who don't understand how the system works and if they care enough to learn then they should be able to vote.