Is Voter Registration complicated in the States?

[Maureen]

I'm just curious. It's always emphasized on TV commercials that I see here in Canada that Americans can't vote until they register. Then I read about registration fraud. I'm getting the impression that its a difficult process. Here in Canada when you fill out your Income Tax Return Form, there's an "Elections Canada" box that asks for your permission to let Revenue Canada pass on your personal information for the National Register of Electors? It's extremely easy to do. In your opinion is your Voter Registration process difficult?

M.

[mightynancy]

It's easy. In Idaho, you can register at the polling place on election day, if you take a photo ID and proof of address (a utility bill in your name, or mail with your name and address on it).

In California, when I lived there, you had to register ahead of time, but it was no more difficult.

Part of the fraud problem is the ease...but you also can't make the process difficult without disenfranchising certain people.

[skalenfehl]

I just go down to the county building office and fill out a quick form. Voila!

[Moksha]

In your opinion is your Voter Registration process difficult?

M.

Not if you know the song and dance routines of George M. Cohan and can swear under oath that you only have one wife.

I served as a voting registrar for several years and it was a painless process, with or without a local anesthetic.

:)

[DanielNicolai]

Yeah, I guess in Iowa or Ohio or something like that they have a new rule where you can register to vote the day of elections, which is a horrible idea. There is no verification that the voter is supposed to be voting. Felons can not vote, but with that registration they can register and vote without anyone knowing for a good week or two until they do his background check. Meanwhile the vote is processed and they are accepted. This can also be used for phantom voters, which is just immoral I think.

In most states though (such as Arizona where I am) the voter registration ends one month before the election, so this time around it's the 6th of October (Go register to vote!) and if you don't register by then, you don't get to vote in the election. We have registration locations all over the place too, every supermarket has booths to get people to register. I am just worried that there will be some sort of underhanded maneuvers going on here, especially with a few of the bluer states.

[SMG]

Yeah, I guess in Iowa or Ohio or something like that they have a new rule where you can register to vote the day of elections, which is a horrible idea. There is no verification that the voter is supposed to be voting. Felons can not vote, but with that registration they can register and vote without anyone knowing for a good week or two until they do his background check. Meanwhile the vote is processed and they are accepted. This can also be used for phantom voters, which is just immoral I think.

In most states though (such as Arizona where I am) the voter registration ends one month before the election, so this time around it's the 6th of October (Go register to vote!) and if you don't register by then, you don't get to vote in the election. We have registration locations all over the place too, every supermarket has booths to get people to register. I am just worried that there will be some sort of underhanded maneuvers going on here, especially with a few of the bluer states.

I'm more worried about what the GOP are trying to do. My right to vote was challenged simply because I moved across town. I stayed in the same county and the same town, but still got challenged. Have a look here and see what other people like myself had had to deal with: Missoulian: State GOP challenges eligibility of voters

It's not hard to register in this state (Montana), you just need a photo ID, and something as proof of in state residence (power bill or something like that would do just fine). You can register until the polls close out here.

[melissar]

It is not difficult to register here in Missouri either. Just fill out a form and have proof of ID and residence.

[Wingnut]

Yeah, I guess in Iowa or Ohio or something like that they have a new rule where you can register to vote the day of elections, which is a horrible idea. There is no verification that the voter is supposed to be voting. Felons can not vote, but with that registration they can register and vote without anyone knowing for a good week or two until they do his background check. Meanwhile the vote is processed and they are accepted. This can also be used for phantom voters, which is just immoral I think.

In most states though (such as Arizona where I am) the voter registration ends one month before the election, so this time around it's the 6th of October (Go register to vote!) and if you don't register by then, you don't get to vote in the election. We have registration locations all over the place too, every supermarket has booths to get people to register. I am just worried that there will be some sort of underhanded maneuvers going on here, especially with a few of the bluer states.

It's not Ohio. The registration deadline for Ohio is tomorrow.

From the Iowa Voter Registration website:

Voter Registration Deadlines

For most elections, the last day to register to vote is 11 days before the date of the election. For statewide primary and general elections, the deadline is 10 days before the election. There is a 3 year election calendar available.

[mightynancy]

posted 11:41 p.m. 10-04-08

I guess in Iowa or Ohio or something like that they have a new rule where you can register to vote the day of elections,

posted 9:41 p.m. 10-04-08

In Idaho, you can register at the polling place on election day,

Idaho, Iowa...potato, potahto

[mightynancy]

and, DN, no worries about Idaho being a "bluer" state...

[abqfriend]

Many people in my state pay no income tax and do not file-so voter registration by income tax would not work here.

Voter Registration varies State by State. In New Mexico, we have no Voter ID card.

Registration has a cut off date-like next week. One can register at post offices and at shopping malls and elsewhere.

One can vote early or by absentee ballot-if they cannpt make it to their voting place.

The procedure varies by State.

-Carol

I'm just curious. It's always emphasized on TV commercials that I see here in Canada that Americans can't vote until they register. Then I read about registration fraud. I'm getting the impression that its a difficult process. Here in Canada when you fill out your Income Tax Return Form, there's an "Elections Canada" box that asks for your permission to let Revenue Canada pass on your personal information for the National Register of Electors? It's extremely easy to do. In your opinion is your Voter Registration process difficult?

M.

[Maureen]

In Canada, you can't vote if your ID address does not match where you are currently residing.

Thanks everyone for the input.

M.

[a-train]

I'm just curious. It's always emphasized on TV commercials that I see here in Canada that Americans can't vote until they register. Then I read about registration fraud. I'm getting the impression that its a difficult process. Here in Canada when you fill out your Income Tax Return Form, there's an "Elections Canada" box that asks for your permission to let Revenue Canada pass on your personal information for the National Register of Electors? It's extremely easy to do. In your opinion is your Voter Registration process difficult?

M.

Registration in the U.S. is extremely easy. All the propaganda about voter fraud and I.D. issues is simply part of the effort to move us to a National I.D.

-a-train

[JcDean78]

Fraud is huge here. My biggest concern is that we will have a lot of people voting multiple times as well as people who should not be voting at all casting votes (Fellons, Non Citizens, dead people, pets, etc).

A certain party has gone out of their way to make sure voter fraud will be huge, especially in this coming election. They have blocked all sorts of reforms such as a requirment of ID to vote to name the biggy.

IMO the ID to vote should not even be debated yet it is fought tooth and nail at every turn.

On a similar issue though, I think only people that actually pay taxes should have the right to vote similar to what our founders stated. Otherwise you have 2 wolves and a sheep voting for what is for dinner. That right there is a major part of why our Republic is slowly headed towards Socialism. But that is for another topic.

[a-train]

Fraud is huge here. My biggest concern is that we will have a lot of people voting multiple times as well as people who should not be voting at all casting votes (Fellons, Non Citizens, dead people, pets, etc).

A certain party has gone out of their way to make sure voter fraud will be huge, especially in this coming election. They have blocked all sorts of reforms such as a requirment of ID to vote to name the biggy.

IMO the ID to vote should not even be debated yet it is fought tooth and nail at every turn.

On a similar issue though, I think only people that actually pay taxes should have the right to vote similar to what our founders stated. Otherwise you have 2 wolves and a sheep voting for what is for dinner. That right there is a major part of why our Republic is slowly headed towards Socialism. But that is for another topic.

A state issued I.D. IS required to vote in my district. That is where issues of fraud should be handled, at the district level. A National effort to control fraud from Washington will be a disaster.

-a-train

[Palerider]

Often times after an election you will hear about how they found out about people that voted who have been long gone for years now....

[Moksha]

Often times after an election you will hear about how they found out about people that voted who have been long gone for years now....

If the Church keeps them on the membership rolls till age 110, should they not be able to vote?

[Palerider]

If the Church keeps them on the membership rolls till age 110, should they not be able to vote?

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!..............I guess they should.....

[a-train]

I have not come to tell you how to vote this way, that way, or the other in relation to National matters. I want it to [go] abroad to the whole world that every man should stand on his own merits. The Lord has not given me Revelation concerning politics- I have not asked the Lord for it.- I am a third party [and] stand independent and alone. - Joseph Smith (Words of Joseph Smith 236-237)

-a-train

[JcDean78]

Hard to find most places but this is todays news on this subject. Obviously it is very damaging to a certain candidate for POTUS and so the MSM is putting it on the back burner. Fox at least is running it.

This group is one of the major players in voter fraud and have been for a long long time. I am sooo glad to see somebody go after them again.

ACORN Vegas Office Raided in Voter Fraud Investigation - FOXNews.com Elections

[Bookmeister]

You know, for $50 I'll vote for the guy who paid me. And I'll vote as many times as I can (at least that's how it works in a certain western state with the initials New Mexico).

[Maureen]

...This group is one of the major players in voter fraud and have been for a long long time. I am sooo glad to see somebody go after them again.

ACORN Vegas Office Raided in Voter Fraud Investigation - FOXNews.com Elections

I've been reading a few articles about ACORN and their connection to Obama - very eye opening.

M.

[JcDean78]

I've been reading a few articles about ACORN and their connection to Obama - very eye opening.

M.

It is really troubling and even more so that the major news outlets are all but ignoring the story. It is a HUGE scandle but of course mums the word.

I am all for getting citizens informed and having them make a decision to vote for who they think will best serve them. But when you pay people money and bus them to vote for your guy... at least once per person, then that is wrong. Some have used that old line and said "The end justifys the means" or that since "Bush stole the election, then this is only fair" (Of course every single recount ever done shows he won).

A ton of voting has already gone on of which Acorn has been a big part of. I am extremly concerned for the integrity of the votes for this election, more so than any before.

[Maureen]

ACORN's been caught getting into trouble over the years and just recently its Nevada offices were raided.

ACORN Nevada Office Raided | The Trail | washingtonpost.com

M.

[Palerider]

ACORN's been caught getting into trouble over the years and just recently its Nevada offices were raided.

ACORN Nevada Office Raided | The Trail | washingtonpost.com

M.

I heard about this......kinda curious to see how this turns out...