League Endorses S. 2865, the Voter Registration Modernization Act

The League endorsed S. 2865, the Voter Registration Modernization Act which promotes the use of online voter registration.

Senator Kristin Gillibrand                                                 May 22, 2014
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC  20510

Dear Senator Gillibrand,

The League of Women Voters is happy to endorse your new legislation to establish online voter registration. As you know, online registration is cheaper, more accurate, and more accessible to citizens than traditional forms of voter registration. It is also the wave of the future.

One of the key elements of your legislation is that it ensures that all citizens can participate by providing ways for every qualified individual to use the online system; access is not limited to those with a driver’s license.

The League is also very supportive of the elements of the legislation that provide for online updates for already-registered voters and for Internet transmittal of election information to registered voters.  These provisions ensure that the legislation addresses the needs of a mobile society and will help build a better- informed and more involved electorate.

Moreover, your legislation builds on key provisions of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) rather than standing alone. This ensures that online registration will be integrated with existing election administration procedures and that the provisions of those laws that protect voters and safeguard the integrity of voter lists will be maintained.

Accurate, up-to-date voter registration lists are key to efficient management of the polls and to ensuring that voters are not faced with confusion, long waiting times and excessive numbers of provisional ballots. Online registration and online updates provide voters with the tools they need to keep registrations current and reduce the errors and costs that come when officials have to re- enter information from handwritten forms.

At a time when Americans can conduct almost any transaction accurately and quickly online – from signing contracts to paying bills and banking – our election systems should join the 21st Century through online voter registration. Your legislation would accomplish this goal in a fair and effective way.

Sincerely,

Elisabeth MacNamara, President