N.C. Rep. Jean Farmer-Butterfield says the state should make it easier for last-minute voters to register.
By Alex Keown
Published April 18th 2007 in The Wilson Times
During Saturday's Wilson County Democratic party convention, Farmer-Butterfield touted a bill before the N.C. General Assembly that would allow same day registration during the early voting period, but not on Election Day itself.
The early voting period extends from 19 days to three days before Election Day. The proposal requires new registrants to show identification, complete a registration application, swear under penalty of a felony that the address given is current and that they are a U.S. citizen, and then vote with a retrievable ballot.
Verification of the information must begin within two business days. The process includes computerized checks for matches in databases of the State Board of Elections, Division of Motor Vehicles, and Social Security Administration, along with a non-forwarding mailing to the address.
The bill hasn't had an easy time getting through the House. As amendments were added to the bill, it failed several attempts to pass that chamber.
Finally though, after tinkering with the language, the House passed the bill and sent it to the Senate, where it now sits in committee.
Current law says a potential voter must register to vote 25 days before an election.
Farmer-Butterfield, a Wilson Democrat, said this plan would be a positive step in increasing voter participation.
"This will allow those who want to vote, but haven't taken the time to register, an extra chance to participate and let their voice be heard," Farmer-Butterfield said.
Gary Bartlett, executive director of the N.C. Board of Elections said the legislation would allow for the preservation of the "integrity and security" of elections.
Election Day '09 was a roller-coaster for election reformers. Instant runoff voting had a great night in Minnesota, where St. Paul voters chose to implement IRV for its city elections, and Minneapolis voters used IRV for the first time—with local media touting it as a big success. As the Star-Tribune noted in endorsing IRV for St. Paul, Tuesday’s elections give the Twin Cities a chance to show the whole state of Minnesota the benefits of adopting IRV. There were disappointments in Lowell and Pierce County too, but high-profile multi-candidate races in New Jersey and New York keep policymakers focused on ways to reform elections; the Baltimore Sun and Miami Herald were among many newspapers publishing commentary from FairVote board member and former presidential candidate John Anderson on how IRV can mitigate the problems of plurality elections.