Three questions automatic voter registration fans don’t want [honestly] answered

True the Vote's maiden post on Medium took the phony premises of automatic voter registration to task this week as our warnings continue to be proven around the nation. Does AVR make life easier for voters? What's the actual harm? Won't participation increase? These are questions such reform proponents don't really want to face. But we'll go there. Share this post within your networks. Odds are, your state legislature has a similar bill in the works, too.

Did you know? PEW Research highlighted a study that detailed the total amount it would cost to collect ALL voter files in the country. True the Vote’s national voter roll research databank costs $126,482 -- just for the raw data! If you haven’t yet, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to help underwrite our research efforts.

‘How to Hack an Election’

Consider this piece on Bloomberg required reading for the weekend. A South American computer hacker and political operative for hire has come forth to tell his story of rigging elections for a decade. “For eight years, Sepúlveda, now 31, says he traveled the continent rigging major political campaigns. With a budget of $600,000, the Peña Nieto job was by far his most complex. He led a team of hackers that stole campaign strategies, manipulated social media to create false waves of enthusiasm and derision, and installed spyware in opposition offices, all to help Peña Nieto, a right-of-center candidate, eke out a victory.” Read the full story here.

Who said voter fraud was a high-tech process?

Journalists and concerned citizens alike often chuckle when TTV enlightens them on just how simplistic many of the organized vote fraud schemes are. Take Eatonville, an Orlando suburb, as a perfect example. Former Mayor Anthony Grant and two alleged associates faced a 25-count indictment this week for seeking to purchase absentee ballots and "forcing" voter registration on individuals. The local State Attorney disclosed that Grant offered bribes and reduced rents to voters participating in the effort. So, you have to ask yourself: ‘To what lengths will my local official go to keep this job’?

Legislation on the Move

List Maintenance Bills

Hawai’i

SB 2444 – The bill was scheduled to be heard by the House Finance Committee this week. This bill would require the office of elections to join the Electronic Registration Information Center and share information with counties to encourage voter participation and ensure integrity of voter registration rolls.

Wisconsin

SB 295 – The bill was signed by the Governor. This omnibus bill permits qualified citizens to register to vote electronically, eliminates the responsibility of special registration deputies, and requires the Government Accountability Board to enter into agreements with other state election administrators to share voter roll information. A February 11, 2016 substitute amendment would provide that a person who registers to vote online does not have to provide proof of residence if they provide name, date of birth, and driver’s license number; and online registration would end on the third Wednesday before Election Day. The February 11 substitute amendment would also make elimination of special registration deputies effective when GAB provides notification that implementation of the online registration system is complete.

Proof of Citizenship Bills

California

AB 2065/2067 – The bills failed in committees, reconsideration granted. These bills would amend California’s automatic voter registration law to require proof of citizenship to process a registration, and to provide that a person is only registered to vote if they affirmatively agreed to it. Currently, all citizens are registered to vote, unless they affirmative decline. The bill would require the Dept. of Motor Vehicles to only send voter registration applications to the secretary of state if the person has submitted proof that they are a citizen of the United States.

Voter ID Bills

Florida

SB 666 – The bill has been presented to the Governor. As amended, this bill would expand the list of acceptable forms of identification for certain voter registration applicants to include veteran health identification cards, government employee IDs, and licenses to carry a concealed weapon or firearm.

West Virginia

HB 4013 – The bill has been presented to the Governor. This bill would require voters to show current, valid, government-issued photo ID to vote, including student and military ID. If expired, the ID cannot be more than six months before the date of the election in which the voter wishes to vote. If a voter does not have ID or if the election clerk determines that the ID is not sufficient, the voter may cast a provisional ballot after completing an affidavit. This bill provides options to prove citizenship in order to obtain ID for people over the age of 50. The bill also allows for the use of valid concealed carry permits, Medicare cards or social security cards to vote. In lieu of providing ID, a person may be accompanied at the polling place by an adult known to the registered voter for at least six months, who can sign an affidavit confirming the voter’s identity. The person signing the affidavit must show photo ID. The bill provides that a person may receive a free ID if they are of voting age and intend to use the ID for the purpose of voting. The bill also contains provisions relating to voter confidentiality and a voter ID education program.

Voter Registration Bills

Colorado

SB 107 – The bill was signed by the Governor. This bill would require potential circulators of voter registration applications to complete training by their drive organizer, and would require the drive to keep affirmations by the circulators. After the voter registration deadline, the circulator would also be required to inform electors that in order to vote in an upcoming election, the elector must submit a registration application at a polling center, clerk’s office, or online.

Connecticut

HB 5514 – The bill was filed with the Legislative Commissioner’s Office. This bill would provide for the automatic voter registration of any person not already registered during certain transactions or contact with the Department of Motor Vehicles or other state agencies designated by the Secretary of the State.

Hawai’i

HB 1652 – This bill was passed on second reading. This bill would require an affidavit on application for voter registration to be included as part of the application for driver's licenses and civil identification cards. It would prevent the processing of applications for driver's licenses or civil identification cards unless the voter affidavit is completed or declined.

Illinois

HB 6050 – The bill was assigned to the Executive Committee. This bill would require the secretary of state to provide the State Board of Elections with the information of individuals who apply for or renew a driver’s license or state ID, as well as the information of people who notify the secretary of a change of address. In addition to the person’s name and other information, the secretary must indicate whether the person affirmatively declined to become registered to vote; a notation that the person meets all voter eligibility requirements; and other information. If the person is indeed eligible to vote, consents to being registered to vote, and affirms citizenship, the SBOE would register that person to vote. The bill provides that the State Board of Elections cannot disclose information to third parties. If a person who is ineligible to vote becomes registered to vote under this Act, and attempts to vote, that person would be presumed to have acted with official authorization and would not be guilty of voter fraud.

Maryland

HB 1007 – The bill was heard by the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee this week. This bill would require the Motor Vehicle Administration to implement an automatic voter registration system on or before January 1, 2017.

Mississippi

HB 809 – The bill passed the Senate this week. The bill would allow for online voter registration to be made available to prospective voters.

Rhode Island

H 7024/S 2513 – The bills were presented to the Governor. The bills require the secretary of state to establish a system to provide for the electronic registration of voters and limit the use or transfer of the information supplied by the registering voter.

Tennessee

HB 1742/SB 1626 – The bills were placed on the calendar for the Ways & Means Subcommittee for an April 6 hearing. As introduced, they establish an online voter registration system beginning July 1, 2017.

Virginia

HB 9 – The bill was vetoed by the Governor. This bill added required information to the voter registration form. As amended, it specified that the application must be denied if an applicant fails to provide required information in many fields, including if the applicant leaves required fields incomplete.

AGREE or DISAGREE with these bills? Contact your local legislator!