So what about “registering” to vote? What’s up with that?

     In keeping with the theme from last week’s post, today I’d like to say a little about voter registration. I personally think voluntary voter registration borders on moronic. By requiring voluntary voter registration voter turnout is lower, and it seems to me to be one more piece of information that can be used to track you. As for the latter, I would know because I have spent some time assisting in repossession and tracking people.  For instance, if I were to use a few publicly available resources I could obtain the following information from your voter registration: Full name, Date of Birth, Gender, Maiden Name, County, Precinct, Physical Address, Mailing Address, Voting History – Election Date, Election Type, Election Party, Election Voting Method

     That should bother you. Why? Well let’s see, if I looked up your mother, I’d know her maiden name (there are plenty of other ways to get it too, but this is too easy). I know some of you probably fill out those myspace quizzes and give everyone your full name and mother’s maiden name anyway (the identity thieves thank you!), but for those of you who don’t you’re still not safe. You remember that little section of the form you filled out for your bank account/credit card/student loan/mortgage/etc. that asked for your mother’s maiden name? That’s like a password. You all know I love WikiPedia:

Laws requiring individual voters to register, as opposed to having the government register people automatically, have a strong correlation with lower numbers of people turning out to vote where voting is voluntary. This lower turnout is especially concentrated among low-income voters and young voters — i.e., those least likely to vote no matter what the registration requirements. Because of this, they are often controversial; some advocate for their abolition. Other groups, while not agreeing with this specific suggestion, argue that the laws should be reformed, for instance, allowing voters to register on the day of the election. This tactic, called Election Day Registration, has been adopted by several U.S. states: Connecticut, Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Registering to vote is the responsibility of individuals in the United States. Voters are not automatically registered to vote once they reach the age of 18. Every state except North Dakota requires that citizens who wish to vote be registered.

~ by wynneth on October 6, 2008.