Over the weekend, the Oregonian’s editorial board recommended that the state pass HJR 43, which would allow election day voter registration.
 
“Students and young adults change residences more frequently than older, more established Oregonians and many pay less attention to elections until late in the campaign cycle,” said Representative Ben Cannon (D-Portland).  “Oregon’s early registration cutoff means that many young people learn too late that they are not registered to vote and are consequently disenfranchised from our democracy.”
 
Same day registration does seem reasonable – after all, isn’t voter participation what makes our country work?
 
But, if you, like me, have ever been to the Multnomah County Election office on voting day, you know how wild it is already.  People who need replacement ballots line up out the door to vote, and workers are doing their best to keep up with demand.  Allowing same day voter registration would only increase the confusion and long lines.  And, do we really want people to vote who had no idea the election was even happening?
 
I know we have a statewide voter file now, but it seems this bill would increase fraudulent registrations.  Would there be enough time to check out that the social security number or driver’s license of every person in that line stretching out the door? 
 
I’m all for increasing voter participation, but I also want to make sure that the people voting are actually eligible.