‘Motor-Voter’ Registration

This letter is written in response to the letter from Ruth Coffey (Aug. 8) regarding the proposed “motor-voter” bill (S-874). Her description of voting as “not only an honor but a sacred trust” is commendable and it is our goal to inspire that sense of duty and participation in all citizens. It is also our goal to ensure that the mechanics of registering and voting are designed to make the process as simple as possible without jeopardizing the integrity of the system. That is why the League of Women Voters is a sponsor of the “motor-voter” bill.

Ms. Coffey expressed a deep concern about the possibility of fraud in describing the legislation as “a plan to automatically register people to vote when they renew their driver’s license.” The facts are that “motor voter” does not automatically register people to vote; it automatically serves as an application to register to vote. Safeguards are included to ensure that only those eligible to vote will register to vote. The legislation also provides penalties for those who fraudulently register.

In California, 39% of the population moves every two years and a large percentage of registered movers forget to re-register at their new addresses. In the process of establishing a new residence, movers are in touch with many agencies . . . utilities, the post office and the Department of Motor Vehicles. In addition to the DMV, the “motor-voter” bill permits expanded registration opportunities at other state, local, and federal agencies, including public high schools and colleges. The Los Angeles League of Women Voters is currently working with the Los Angeles Unified School District in a school-based program to register students and their parents.

Voter participation is the necessary foundation for a healthy and sound democracy and yet of the world’s major democratic systems, the United States is dead last in voter participation.

Each state determines its own registration laws and procedures. As a result, access to voting varies widely from state to state.

Voter registration must not be a barrier to voting; voting is a right, not a privilege granted to those most tenacious in pursuing registration. The League of Women Voters believes that S-874 is an excellent first step in providing a national registration procedure that will help in getting voters back to the polls.

LOIS SAFFIAN

President, LWV

Los Angeles