Out of fifty states in our union, only nine allow their residents the ability to register to vote in an election on the same day. This not only applies to brand new voters but those that have moved since the last election. Studies have shown that same-day states have higher turnout rates than the rest of us. In the 41 states that require one to register weeks before the primary election, many people in their busy lives only pay attention to politics as the time to vote nears and realizing that the time to register has passed is all too common.
The problem is especially harsh for young people. We tend to move around more than other age groups and of course this is the time of life where one registers for the first time as adulthood begins. This led the New York Times to talk to students at Ramapo College out in New Jersey.
From The NY Times:
“I’ve been really busy with work and school; it’s been hectic; my car broke down,” Mr. Backhus said while talking heads yakked about politics on the television screens at the student dining hall. “I never got around to registering.”
At Ramapo, the circus also won’t include Cherie Richardson of Paterson or Qurita Powell of Trenton, who both like Hillary Rodham Clinton, or Ryan Mastropole of West Milford. Jerry Leatherman of Milltown doesn’t think he is registered, but, hey, who can be sure? They figure politics is like studying for tests — you usually don’t get interested until it’s in your face.
For a political junkie like me it is hard to remember that all people are not as involved in what is going on in American politics, but of course, this is the reality. That is why every state should be like Iowa and New Hampshire (and several others) and allow everyone to register on the same day as the one the primary is held.
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