Registering to vote is so much harder than it should be

[Syringer]

So I'm trying to register to vote in this year's presidential election, and being the 24-year-old that I am my first instinct was to google 'register to vote'.

The first result was the rock the vote campaign, which seemed just too gimmicky for my tastes, as I wanted to try to find something more "official".

I go on to the next site then which is the California Sec of State site, which was perfect since I am from there. I click on it, read through the directions and see that it requires that I have to print something up, fill out the form manually, put it in an envelope and mail it off.

Since I don't actually own any stamps/envelopes this was a bit of a barrier to entry for me (I don't think I've sent anything out in the mail other than Netflix DVDs in years)--so I go back to the original rockthevote site, which appears to have a form you can just fill out online.

That was simple enough and 30 seconds later I submitted it, only to find out that I had to actually print it up, and mail it as well.

Also--there's a section on the site where you type in your "ID Number", which is either a SS# or DL#, but the site runs through http, not https which definitely made me hesitant to enter anything in there.

Now I'm not totally apathetic to everything that goes on around me, and truly felt it to be my duty to vote since most kids my age probably aren't going to--so I didn't give up completely yet--I had the form emailed to me, and had my sister do it for me since she has access to envelopes/stamps at her work.

Thoughts?

On the one hand I don't know if I want a lazy couch potato who won't spend 10 minutes of his time to go out to the store and purchase envelopes/stamps to register to determine who our leaders are--but at the same time in a democracy the more higher the participation in theory, the better it is, and if it's possible to register with a few clicks of the mouse it should be possible.

 

[Ns1]

I got a form, signed it, turned it in, and I was registered?

I even get absentee ballots so I don't have to leave my apartment.


Gotta admit though, if it weren't for the absentee ballots I wouldn't vote.

 

[darkxshade]

Sounds like a difficult process though I imagine it can't be any harder than say... killing a spider?

 

[evident]

it's a lame process.

 

[Savij]

Originally posted by: Syringer
So I'm trying to register to vote in this year's presidential election, and being the 24-year-old that I am my first instinct was to google 'register to vote'.

The first result was the rock the vote campaign, which seemed just too gimmicky for my tastes, as I wanted to try to find something more "official".

I go on to the next site then which is the California Sec of State site, which was perfect since I am from there. I click on it, read through the directions and see that it requires that I have to print something up, fill out the form manually, put it in an envelope and mail it off.

Since I don't actually own any stamps/envelopes this was a bit of a barrier to entry for me (I don't think I've sent anything out in the mail other than Netflix DVDs in years)--so I go back to the original rockthevote site, which appears to have a form you can just fill out online.

That was simple enough and 30 seconds later I submitted it, only to find out that I had to actually print it up, and mail it as well.

Now I'm not totally apathetic to everything that goes on around me, and truly felt it to be my duty to vote since most kids my age probably aren't going to--so I didn't give up completely yet--I had the form emailed to me, and had my sister do it for me since she has access to envelopes/stamps at her work.

Thoughts?

On the one hand I don't know if I want a lazy couch potato who won't spend 10 minutes of his time to go out to the store and purchase envelopes/stamps to register to determine who our leaders are--but at the same time in a democracy the more higher the participation in theory, the better it is, and if it's possible to register with a few clicks of the mouse it should be possible.

Cliffs:
"If it's not handed to me while someone else wipes my ass, I'm too lazy to do it."

You have to print, fill out, and mail one form and it's too much work? People like you are the reason no one takes younger voters seriously. I'm ashamed to be in the same generation as you.

 

[Soundmanred]

And I thought the people who think doing taxes was too hard were lazy...

 

[imported_Imp]

Wow, didn't know you guys had it this tough. All I need is to bring my voters registration card (never voted, so won't get one) or 2 pieces of mail with my address and name to the booth.

 

[sdifox]

Democracy only works when the majority of the voters are rational. Unfortunately, the majority is partisan.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Walk down a busy street in an election year and you'll be inundated with volunteers registering people to vote. Fill out your name and address, sign it, done. It's easier to register to vote then to sign up for Netflix you lazy ass.

Oh, there is a poll. You should not be voting.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Ns1
I got a form, signed it, turned it in, and I was registered?

I even get absentee ballots so I don't have to leave my apartment.


Gotta admit though, if it weren't for the absentee ballots I wouldn't vote.

You don't have to have a good reason to get an absentee ballot?

 

[Vette73]

You have to sign it thats why it can't just be e-mailed.

You can also go to the DMV, library, etc... in most states.

Here in VA at the metro there were tables to sign people up to vote.

 

[Baked]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: Ns1
I got a form, signed it, turned it in, and I was registered?

I even get absentee ballots so I don't have to leave my apartment.


Gotta admit though, if it weren't for the absentee ballots I wouldn't vote.

You don't have to have a good reason to get an absentee ballot?

Nope.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: Ns1
I got a form, signed it, turned it in, and I was registered?

I even get absentee ballots so I don't have to leave my apartment.


Gotta admit though, if it weren't for the absentee ballots I wouldn't vote.

You don't have to have a good reason to get an absentee ballot?

Well, it's America. There's probably a checkbox for "fat, lazy, slovenly, disgusting waste of a human life is too damn obese to comfortably leave bed, please send me a ballot." Then again, I'm from Portland, where the only way you can vote is by mail, so there you go.

 

[GeekDrew]

Ohio requires that a voter registration card be completed and signed by the person requesting to become a voter, and the card can make its way back to the Secretary of State's office (or any board of elections office, library, public high school, health department, public treasurer's office, etc.) by mail, someone dropping it off, etc. Accepting registrations over the internet would be a disaster, in my opinion.

Also, many states are removing requirements that you need to have a reason in order to vote via absentee ballot. Ohio has done so, with their "no fault absentee" system. Anyone can vote absentee, without providing a reason. I strongly encourage *everyone* to vote absentee. The concept of physical polling locations is outdated and is *extremely* costly.

 

[torpid]

I can register at the poll itself. I think all states should allow that.

mugs, anyone can vote absentee here. No reason is required. In fact, it is sometimes encouraged to vote absentee to reduce the size of the lines.

 

[GeekDrew]

Originally posted by: torpid
I can register at the poll itself. I think all states should allow that.

What state are you in? I actually would love to see the official state identification database (driver's licenses and etc) become the official voter record for all states. Unfortunately that would require massive amounts of data scrubbing before it could become a possibility.

 

[Leros]

I got a registration form mailed to me, it did not require a stamp to be mailed back.

Isn't there law stating that you have to be given the option to register at the DMV? Just do it when you're getting your license renewed.

 

[lyssword]

Originally posted by: darkxshade
Sounds like a difficult process though I imagine it can't be any harder than say... killing a spiderman?

fixed

 

[Queasy]

No envelopes or stamps? Clearly this is a poll tax!

 

[GeekDrew]

Originally posted by: Leros
Isn't there law stating that you have to be given the option to register at the DMV? Just do it when you're getting your license renewed.

There is, but there are also laws saying that you have to change your ID address on file within X days of changing your residence address, and extraordinary numbers of people do not.

 

[Syringer]

Originally posted by: Leros
I got a registration form mailed to me, it did not require a stamp to be mailed back.

Isn't there law stating that you have to be given the option to register at the DMV? Just do it when you're getting your license renewed.

Oh I do all that online

The first time I registered to vote though was at the DMV, where I think they basically had a checkmark at the bottom of your application that asked if you wanted to register, so I was just, sure why not.

 

[torpid]

Originally posted by: GeekDrew

Originally posted by: torpid
I can register at the poll itself. I think all states should allow that.

What state are you in? I actually would love to see the official state identification database (driver's licenses and etc) become the official voter record for all states. Unfortunately that would require massive amounts of data scrubbing before it could become a possibility.

Wisconsin. You have to show a few forms of identification. I think a utility bill and lease are enough, but I could be wrong. It's been a while since I have registered.

 

[Tobolo]

It's called a Library. You can drop them off free. It's the big building with the paper stories that dont display on a computer screen. But dear God stay away from the MICROFILM!!!

 

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: Imp
Wow, didn't know you guys had it this tough. All I need is to bring my voters registration card (never voted, so won't get one) or 2 pieces of mail with my address and name to the booth.

Go Canada! :beer:

KT

 

[Syringer]

No one goes to libraries anymore either..young kids out of college like me don't read, and those that do do it all online or order from Amazon.

Basically my point is I'd say I'm less apathetic than at least half the people my age, at least when it comes to the issues, and if I'm this hesitant in going through this process, I can't imagine the mindset that others go through.