The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Jan. 10, 2025
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed automatic voter registration into law in December of 2020, to begin in January of 2023. Pandemic, technical, and bidding delays ensued, but preparation for voter registration at the DMV and other state agencies has finally begun.
The New York State Board of Elections approved a resolution in December 2024, authorizing the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles and other state agencies to create voter registration forms and transmit that data to the Board of Elections database. The new system allows citizens to opt out of voter registration, but will otherwise register or change registration information during official transactions.
Gotham Gazette reports that both the implementation of automatic voter registration system, or AVR, and online voter registration, or OVR, were delayed as technical staff was diverted for pandemic-related IT projects. The OVR system went live in June 2023.
While the delays are frustrating, getting it right is critical. Early adopter Oregon recently discovered flaws in its very successful AVR system, with evidence that ineligible citizens and noncitizens were accidentally registered during state transactions. The state is in the process of a system-wide audit.
Brennan Center for Justice research finds AVR has increased voter registrations from 9 to 94% in jurisdictions around the country. In addition to more voters, AVR also keeps state voter rolls up to date as voters move or have life changes.
We have more on AVR at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Brennan Center for Justice – (2020)Governor Cuomo Signs Automatic Voter Registration into Law in New York
Harvard Political Review – An Automatic Solution: Voter Registration and the Oregon Model
Gotham Gazette – (2023) New York Launch of Online and Automatic Voter Registration Delayed Until at Least May
New York State Board of Elections – Approved Resolution RE Automatic Voter Registration with Regulation
National Conference for State Legislatures – States Adopting Automatic Voter Registration
Groups Taking Action:
Declaration for American Democracy, Common Cause, League of Women Voters US
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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