The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Oct. 21, 2024

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.

Early voting is well under way in 22 states, and will be joined by another 11 states Oct. 21st and 22nd.   But if you’re not registered in Pennsylvania, Alabama or South Dakota, your time runs out by the end of day on Oct. 21st.  

On Monday and Tuesday, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, South Carolina, Texas, Hawaii, Missouri, Utah, and Wisconsin begin early voting.  Depending on your state’s rules, that could mean early in-person voting, or by mail, or both.   Seven more states, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey and New York begin later in the week.

Monday October 21st, voter registration closes in the battleground state of Pennsylvania for the November 5th general election, as do Alabama and South Dakota.   Other states closing registrations later this week are Nebraska, Massachusetts and New York, none of which, for voters who miss those deadlines, offer election-day registration.

Voter registration has already closed in 22 states, and none of those states offer election day registration, either.    

Voting early can mean shorter lines, less hassle and if you’re voting by mail, sometimes a chance to fix minor mistakes on your ballot. 

We’ve linked information on early voting and registration deadlines for all these states at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

To view the whole script of today’s report, please go to our website.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
BallotPedia – Voter registration deadlines, 2024

BallotPedia –  2024 election and voting dates
National Conference of State Legislatures – Same Day/Election Day Voter Registration
Vote.gov – Register to Vote by State
Pennsylvania Voter Services – Voter Registration Application
Alabama Secretary of State – Register to Vote / Update Your Information
South Dakota Secretary of State –  Register to Vote, Update Voter Registration or Cancel Voter Registration

Check Your Voter Registration/State Information on Registering:

• U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
• USA Vote Foundation – Registration, Eligibility, State Election Office Links
• Vote.Gov – Register to Vote in Your State
• Vote.Org – Check Your Registration to Vote
  
  

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#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #EarlyVoting #VoterRegistration #RegistertoVote 

The post Early Voting Begins in 18 States This Week, But Voter Registration Ends in 6 States.  You Can’t Vote If You’re Not Registered.  appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for July 29, 2024

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.

In 21 states plus DC, election-day voter registration has a proven record of enabling younger, nonwhite, and frequently moving citizens to vote – which is why anti-voter legislatures are scrambling to end or neutralize it.  Use it if you must, but registering early is a better way to make sure your vote counts.

The MIT Election Data & Science Lab finds that while results vary by state, election-day registration boosts turnout 3 – 6%.   Pew Research found earlier this year that 57% of Americans approve of election-day registration, but a perception that election-day registrants lean liberal, mobilized some anti-voter state legislatures to tighten its rules or eliminate it altogether.

Montana eliminated its same-day registration in 2021. New Hampshire has had same-day registration since 1994, but state Republicans now claim, without merit, that it’s vulnerable to fraud. Their true target is keeping college students from voting.   For other anti-voter legislatures, it’s Black or Hispanic voters. New Hampshire changed its rules to require same-day registrants to use provisional ballots, pending verification of citizenship and residency documents.  Five more states now allow same-day only during early voting. 

If it’s a choice over whether you vote or not, by all means register same-day.   But registering NOW, or during an early in-person voting period, ensures you can get  the right documents to register, vote, and have that vote COUNT.    

We’ve linked to the rules for your state at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl

Articles & Resources:
Voting Rights Lab – Availability of Same-Day Voter Registration
Brennan Center for Justice- Election Day Registration Could Cut Through Many of the Arguments in the Voting Wars
MIT Election Data & Science Lab – Same-day registration
University of Massachusetts Amherst – NEW STUDY FINDS THAT STATES WITH SAME DAY VOTER REGISTRATION HAVE HIGHER BLACK AND LATINX TURNOUT

BallotPedia – Arguments for and against same-day voter registration

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
USA Vote Foundation – Registration, Eligibility, State Election Office Links
Vote.Gov – Register to Vote in Your State
Vote.Org – Check Your Registration to Vote

Groups Taking Action:
Rock the Vote, Mi Familia Vota, Black Voters Matter, League of Women Voters Vote 411,  Brennan Center for Justice, ACLU, Center for Voter Information, Native Vote, APIAVote

Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!  

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

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Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #EarlyVoterRegistration #SameDayRegistration #ElectionDayRegistration #RegisterandVote

The post Election-Day Voter Registration Does Help People Vote, But it’s Better to Register Early to Make Sure Your Vote Counts appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for July 26, 2024

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.

If you want to vote this fall and you’re not registered, it’s time to get busy.   Fifteen states require a citizen to register 30 days prior to an election.  And a recent study showed 9% of Americans don’t have ready access to the documents required.   Here’s what you need.

First you’ll need to prove that you’re a resident of the state, and that you’ll be 18 years old by election day. In most states, this can be as easy as showing a driver’s license or eligible photo ID.  Some states require a residency of up to 30 days before you register, so if you’ve just moved, check out your state’s rules.  

Second, you’ll need to prove where you live.  Utility bills, apartment leases, car registrations, property tax bills, or bank statements are often allowable.  Students may need to show tuition statements or a student ID.

Third, you’ll need to prove you’re a citizen of the United States.  Typically, that means showing a birth certificate, valid U.S. passport, or naturalization papers.  The Brennan Center for Justice recently found that over 21 Million Americans don’t have ready access to proof of citizenship documents.

Many states offer registration options beyond going in person to a municipal or county clerk’s office, including online registration and at the DMV.   We’ll discuss the perils of election day registration next week. 

We’ve linked to the rules and options for your state at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
USA Vote Foundation – Registration, Eligibility, State Election Office Links
Vote.Gov – Register to Vote in Your State
Vote.Org – Check Your Registration to Vote
National Conference of State Legislatures – Voter Registration Deadlines
Brennan Center for Justice – Millions of Americans Don’t Have Documents Proving Their Citizenship Readily Available

Groups Taking Action:
Rock the Vote, Mi Familia Vota, Black Voters Matter, League of Women Voters Vote 411,  Brennan Center for Justice, ACLU, Center for Voter Information, Native Vote, APIAVote

Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and SHARE!  

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #Voting #ItsMyVote #Election2024 

The post If You Want to Vote this Fall, You’ll Need to Be Registered.  To Register, You Need to Be Prepared, and Time is Running Out. appeared first on American Democracy Minute.