With latest win, nearly half of U.S. has automatic voter registration

[Davie]

 

With latest win, nearly half of U.S. has automatic voter registration

 

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/latest-win-nearly-half-us-automatic-voter-registration-rcna83375

[VickySGV]

Well, that is good to hear for certain.  Back in 2011 when I got my name changed legally my registration was cancelled by the Court, but the next morning when I went to our Department of Motor Vehicles to change my drivers license name, they automatically re-registered me, and I got both the cancellation and new registrations cards in the mail the same day a week later.

[awkward-yet-sweet]

Now, if only voter education was automatic.... 🙄

[VickySGV]

38 minutes ago, awkward-yet-sweet said:

Now, if only voter education was automatic.... 🙄

 

Absolutely the key to it.  Not necessarily about who to vote for in either party, but how things are done in their states to allow voting and how the system is administered and reported fairly.

[Charlize]

 At the federal level, it’s worth noting that automatic voter registration was a key element of the Democrats’ “For the People Act,” which Republicans derailed in the last Congress. 

What a pity that there is any resistance to universal voting.  

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[awkward-yet-sweet]

6 hours ago, VickySGV said:

Absolutely the key to it.  Not necessarily about who to vote for in either party, but how things are done in their states to allow voting and how the system is administered and reported fairly.

 

Unfortunately, I believe that our voting population is pretty poorly qualified for the responsibility.  Civics education/knowledge is at an all-time low.  Lots of folks in surveys can't even name the 3 branches of government.  It makes my blood boil to think that we mandate education for everybody until age 16-18 specifically to have a population that can think well enough to vote and participate in our republic...and we pay massive taxes to support that goal, and then it isn't being met. 

 

 

3 hours ago, Charlize said:

What a pity that there is any resistance to universal voting. 

 

That might have been my opinion/perspective in years past, but today I share the some of the reservations that many have about "universal" voting.  There is even a great diversity of opinions on the definition of the term.

 

Having attended my husband's politics/history/military lectures as well as read some other perspectives including authors such as Heinlein, I no longer take the idea of unmerited/unqualified enfranchisement for granted as a guaranteed social good.  While our system is preferable to many other kinds, I question whether it is the best possible.  There is definitely room for discussion. 

 

Anyways....within the context of the original topic, I think that automatic voter registration in our system can be a good thing.  It removes a barrier to voting that is merely an irritating technicality.  It is also non-partisan. 

 

 

 

 

[Carolyn Marie]

1 hour ago, awkward-yet-sweet said:

Unfortunately, I believe that our voting population is pretty poorly qualified for the responsibility.  Civics education/knowledge is at an all-time low.  Lots of folks in surveys can't even name the 3 branches of government.

 

 

I agree with you on this point, AYS.  Some states are getting rid of civics education completely.  Sometimes the excuse is that it isn't one of the three "R's."  Other times it's because civics is a "woke" topic.

 

In high school in the 70's I had an elective called "Government Lab."  We had to sign up to volunteer in a civics-related office or occupation.  I chose to volunteer in a political campaign office.  It was a good education.  I doubt such a class exists these days.

 

Carolyn Marie

[awkward-yet-sweet]

8 minutes ago, Carolyn Marie said:

 

I agree with you on this point, AYS.  Some states are getting rid of civics education completely.  Sometimes the excuse is that it isn't one of the three "R's."  Other times it's because civics is a "woke" topic.

 

In high school in the 70's I had an elective called "Government Lab."  We had to sign up to volunteer in a civics-related office or occupation.  I chose to volunteer in a political campaign office.  It was a good education.  I doubt such a class exists these days.

When I was in high school (early 2000's), Civics was mixed into a couple of different courses, and my US History teacher taught us some useful things.  As its own topic, it was an elective.  I didn't know how important it was at the time, so I didn't take it.  Now that I know, I think it should have been mandatory for all.  It sounds like you had a good experience. 

 

My husband's experience in school was intense, and so he's passionate about the subject.  A lot of times, politics and history are the main topics at dinner in our home.  He volunteers in our community, and teaches a very intense evening course for our community's teenage cadets.  The political portion involves lectures, films, discussion, debate, and interviews with local elected officials.  It is open for parents and other adults, so I attend when I can.  It has definitely filled in some gaps for me.