Measure allowing voters to register at polls passes House committee

Voters may be able to register at the polls.

HB347, which passed the House Government Operations Committee on a 5-3 vote Tuesday, would allow unregistered voters to register on Election Day instead of needing to register 20 days before any election. The voter would have to provide valid identification of American citizenship and residency within the district.

States where voters are allowed to register at the polls have shown an increase in voter turnout, said sponsoring Rep. Neal Hansen, D-Ogden. It is especially beneficial to young, first-time voters and people who move into a district right before Election Day, he said.

"There are people who are aloof to a campaign until the last few weeks, and then it's too late for them to get out and register," Hansen said. "This will really enhance people's right to vote and improve voter turnout."<