Across the country, volunteers and nonpartisan organizations are spreading the word about the ticket to voting: voter registration. As many states are approaching voter registration deadlines, there is no better time than now to register to vote, update your registration, or simply check to make sure your registration is valid.
In 2008, six million people did not vote because they were not registered. And we know that unregistered citizens are disproportionately low-income citizens, people of color, or young folks. Without equal representation in our electorate, our democratic process fails us.
“There is pretty good reason to believe that unequal political voice does lead to unequal political outcomes,” said Henry Brady, dean of the University of California, Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy in an Atlantic report.
Citizens can help close that gap now by registering to vote on this important day.
Yesterday, California Governor Jerry Brown approved a new law to allow citizens to register to vote and cast a provisional ballot on Election Day, just a week after the state unveiled its new online voter registration system. California’s same-day registration will take effect in future elections.
“Voting—the sacred right of every citizen—should be simple and convenient,” said Governor Brown in a statement. “While other states try to restrict voters with new laws that burden the process, California allows voters to register online—and even on Election Day.”