Should all states have election day registration?

On average only 5 out of 10 voters vote in the US. In states that allow people to register on election day 7 out of 10 registered voters vote. As well as in states with election day registration, a larger percentage of voters are registered ahead of time from past elections. Also with todays technology we don't need paper voter registration roles to determine who is or is not eligible to vote. A simple check on a state or national database can accomplish that. As well as people who register still have to show proof of identity and residency to register. So the argument that states need time to prepare is an outdated one. What do you think? Should all states have election day registration or same day registration as voting?

Public Comments

1. I'd like to see that happen. In my state, you have to be registered a month ahead of time. I find this prevents a lot of younger people from voting because it's usually their first election and they either don't know you have to wait or just lose track of time.
2. That's an ingenious idea. People are turning out this year in greater numbers to vote because of concerns over the voting machines that do not offer receipts (purposefully). They're bringing their videocameras to record stories on the streets for the national vote monitors, they are having vigils and afterparties at the polls. It's Paul Revere Time, 2006 style, so be there and bring your great ideas. Check it out: http://bluerevolution.us/
3. Definitely Not. If people can't get off their butts before election day and register, then why would you want them to hinder everyone else trying to vote--which is what would happen because there are never enough poll workers. I would like to see a better system of registering people. Every adult over 18 other than felons should be eligible to vote, and there should be a method to do that using drivers licenses or ID cards. The big difficulty is that many people move a lot, so precincts change--so each person is, and should be responsible for telling the election board where they currently live. Boils down to responsibility--yes everyone who wants to vote should vote, but they should not decide the day of the election, and then expect to be able to register.