Senate Elections Committee Approves Election Day Registration Bill

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June 19, 2012

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Senate Elections Committee Approves Election Day Registration Bill

AB 1436 will improve voter accessibility and turnout

[Sacramento CA] Today, California’s Senate Committee on Elections approved AB 1436, which would allow eligible voters to register on the day of an election and through the last two weeks before Election Day. The bill was introduced by Assembly member Mike Feuer, sponsored by California Common Cause, and supported by a broad coalition of organizations.

Studies have consistently shown that Election Day registration drives up voter turnout-by as much as 12% in presidential elections. The ability to register at the polls particularly helps young people and others who may move between districts for school or work and wish to participate in the electoral process.

“States with election day registration get a broader demographic to participate in the process,” said California Common Cause executive director Kathay Feng. “When people can register at the same time as they vote-they don’t have to mail anything in, they don’t have to go to the DMV-we’ll have greater turnout numbers.”

At the same time that AB 1436 would improve voting access, it would increase the penalty for felony voter fraud from $10,000 to $25,000.

If enacted, AB 1436 would make California one of 10 states with Election Day voter registration. The bill awaits further action in the Senate Public Safety Committee.

California Common Cause is a non-partisan, non-profit that strives to strengthen our democracy by empowering our members, supporters and the general public to take action on critical policy issues.