From Deseret News archives:
Letting voters register at polls would boost turnout, sponsor says
Bill's critics fear too many Utahns would be procrastinators
State law requires registration no later than 20 days before an election. Registration was at an all-time high headed into the past general election, but many would-be voters didn't get to cast ballots because their names weren't properly on the books.
HB267 "really goes another step forward in helping our citizens be able to get out and vote," said bill sponsor Rep. Neil A. Hansen, D-Ogden.
A group of students from Weber State University were unable to vote in an election two years ago because their registration forms were not turned in before the deadline.
"Many of those students were unable to cast their votes and were turned away on Election Day," he said.
Another concern that caused Hansen to draft the legislation, he said, was that many people move or "don't really decide to vote until 10 days before an election," when it is already too late to register.
"We are allowed to vote at 18 years of age, at which we are considered adults and it should be your own individual responsibility to know what the parameters are for you to register to vote," said Summit County Clerk Susan Follett. She said many would procrastinate and leave it to the last day.
Hansen proposed the idea that computer databases could be referred to when voters request initial registration, thus preventing the possibility of voter fraud. He said the checks and balance systems were in place to deter fraud and that the system had the potential of being quite efficient.
Follett said the connection to the database would not be available at most of Summit County's precincts because of the remote locations they are in. She also said the increase in paperwork and phone calls would impose a greater fiscal impact than the bill projects.
Weber County Elections Administrator Scott Hogenson said that procrastination contributed to the high voter registration numbers in last year's election.
"If everyone knows they can register on Election Day, everyone will do that," he said. The overall task of implementing the new policy, he said, would be "asking a lot of our county clerks statewide."
Nationwide, only six states currently allow the provision to register on Election Day. Hansen said four of those states experienced the highest voter turnout on Election Day last year.
"This would be a good opportunity to say we value the citizens' voice and want to allow them to vote," Hansen said.
The bill was heard in committee Thursday but held over for further consideration by the House Government Operations Committee.
E-mail: wleonard@desnews.com
