Today’s front page of the Flash Report features an article from the San Diego Union Tribune about possible DMV tampering with voter registrations. Apparently several Republicans in San Diego were dismayed to learn that although they thought they had registered as Republicans at the DMV, when they arrived to vote in February’s primary there was no record of their registration with the GOP. Secretary of State Debra Bowen is investigating allegations that the DMV transferred the Republican registrations to nonpartisan.
Reading this article brought to mind a bill currently being considered in the legislature: AB 2371 by Assemblyman Joe Coto.
Every year lawmakers introduce legislation that will “make it easier” for voters to register or re-register, as if it so difficult to register right now. AB 2371 would require that anytime someone who is not registered to vote applies for a driver’s license, instruction permit, junior permit or identification card, or who files an income tax form with the state, they are automatically registered to vote. Anyone registered under this process would be registered without a party affiliation. Since the bill includes people under 18 (junior permits, identification cards), a minor would be registered automatically on their eighteenth birthday.
In light of the SDUT article, is this the wisest measure to propose? After all, if the DMV can’t get a registrant’s party affiliation correct now, why would we grant them even broader powers to register voters? Although this bill is intended to help out voters, it is instead more nanny government for the government to register its own citizens. Registering citizens without their knowledge or consent doesn’t encourage civic involvement, it establishes another form of reliance on the government. Citizens who actually take the time to register will more likely take the time to research issues when they vote.
Another related bill deserves mention as well: AB 1819 by Assemblyman Curren Price would “authorize” sixteen-year-olds, who “otherwise meet all voter eligibility requirements,” to submit an affidavit of voter registration. The affidavit of registration would be deemed effective as soon as the affiant becomes eighteen.
The goal of AB 1819 is to encourage more youth involvement in the election process through voting. However, the bill actually explains why it not necessary: the sixteen-year-olds don’t meet one of the most fundamental “voter eligibility requirements”, they aren’t eighteen. Instead of placing another burden on local government of obtaining affidavits from every sixteen-year-old, schools should encourage civic responsibility—including registering to vote at eighteen, when it’s legally permissible.
It’s completely understandable that elected officials want to encourage citizens to vote. But AB 1819 and AB 2371 will have the opposite result. As the government continues to usurp more and more of our responsibilities, what reason do citizens have to be responsible at all?