S.2514 would allow for Election Day Registration in Massachusetts, allowing eligible citizens the opportunity to register and vote at their polling station on Election Day. Election Day Registration is already law in 8 states, including Minnesota, Maine, and Wisconsin, which have had it for 33 years. Iowa passed it a month ago. Election Day Registration makes sure that citizens who recently moved, citizens who recently changed last names, and citizens who tried to register previously but whose names are missing from the voter list still get the opportunity to vote.
Myth: Election Day Registration will increase voter fraud.
FACT: Voter Fraud is a myth.
In 30 years of experience in competitive elections in 7 states, with tens of millions of ballots cast, voter fraud has been proven in less than 15 cases. Rather than increasing fraud, Election Day Registration would actually set up more barriers against fraud than currently exists under present statute. Under present law, a registered voter is not required to show identification before they vote, so there are no requirements in place to verify a voter’s identity. Under Election Day Registration, an eligible but unregistered voter would have to present identification AND proof of residency, such as a utility or cable bill, before he or she would be allowed to register and vote at a polling station. Election Day Registration voters would also be asked to sign an affidavit attesting to their identity and acknowledging the severe state penalties (up to 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine) for engaging in voter fraud.
Myth: Because we have Provisional Ballots, we do not need Election Day Registration.
FACT: Most Provisional Ballots are never counted.
The federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) requires that states offer provisional ballots to people who claim to be registered voters, but whose names are not found on the voter list. After the election ends, officials must judge each ballot to decide whether or not it should be counted, and then adjust totals. In a 2004 Massachusetts study, only 23% of provisional ballots were counted. Most people who use provisional ballots think they are voting, but their votes will never count. Worse, the voter remains unregistered for future elections. Election Day Registration cuts the number of provisional ballots by 80%.
Myth: Local elections will be swayed by turnout from Election Day Registration.
FACT: Election Day Registrants mirror the population.
Election Day Registration helps people of all ages, all parties, and all different backgrounds. Decades of experience in states with Election Day Registration show that voter turnout increases significantly only in Presidential and Gubernatorial Elections. In primaries and municipal races, the impact is negligible, between 1-3%. Election Day Registration has been a success from Burns, Wyoming (pop. 285) to Milwaukee, Wisconsin (pop. 596,974). Every elected official knows that races are not won by contacting unregistered people who may or may not vote, but rather by convincing voters who vote in every election.
Myth: Election Day Registration is costly.
FACT: Election Day Registration could cost nothing. Because of the foresight of Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin, our chief elections officer, Massachusetts already has a statewide voter list in place. With no changes, Election Day Registration will cost only about $250 per precinct, enough to provide for an extra poll worker and the printing of forms. However, if Massachusetts eliminates the “check-out” table – a goal long sought by town clerks — election officials could redirect personnel from the check-out table to administer Election Day Registration. Federal funds through HAVA are available for those states that choose to implement Election Day Registration prior to 2008.
Myth: Election Day Registration has not made enough difference for Massachusetts to attempt it.
FACT: Election Day Registration is a huge success, spreading nationwide.
In the 2004, six states offered Election Day Registration: Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In these states, voter turnout was an average of 12 percentage points higher than in states without Election Day Registration. In fact, four of the five states that boasted the highest voter turnout in the election allowed Election Day Registration. Demos, a national voting rights group, reported that in November 2006, over 750,000 Americans in these states took advantage of Election Day registration. These states reported very few problems with fraud, costs, or administrative difficulties. Recognizing the merits of Election Day Registration, Montana passed Election Day Registration for use in 2006, and Iowa just became the latest state to authorize Election Day Registration for the 2008 presidential election. Hawaii, Washington, Connecticut, and Illinois are also considering bills.
Myth: People who do not take the time to register 20 days before an election don’t deserve to vote.
FACT: All eligible citizens over the age of 18 have the right to vote.
While Massachusetts close voter registration 20 days before an election, some states mandate longer periods of time, while others mandate less. At one point, town clerks were allowed to register voters only on certain days of the week, for just a few limited hours. Later, state law opened up the registration process. In the early 1990’s, Motor Voter made mail-in registration and registration at government agencies an option for everyone. Both times, some feared massive changes in the composition of the electorate. It did not happen. Today, in an age of television and strategic campaigns, an age when people move frequently, many people do not become engaged in an election until a week or two before Election Day. These citizens deserve the opportunity to vote. Election Day Registration also helps eligible voters who registered earlier at the Registry of Motor Vehicles or via a mail, only to have their forms never reach their local town or city clerk.