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Modernizing Voter Registration

Registering to vote is the first step in making our voices heard in our democracy. Common Cause is advocating for modernization of the registration process nationwide so that more eligible voters can get on the rolls.

Every eligible American should be able to register to vote in a convenient and secure way that is beneficial to new voters and administrators alike. Key voter registration improvements can ensure our systems are secure and efficient, safeguard our votes, and even save states money. These upgrades include:

  • Automatic Voter Registration (AVR): Automatically registering eligible voters through the DMV and other government agencies unless they opt out.
  • Election Day/Same Day Registration (SDR/EDR): Allowing eligible voters to register and vote on Election Day and during early voting periods.
  • Online Voter Registration (OVR): Letting eligible voters to register to vote or update their information via secure government websites, and
  • Pre-Registration for High School Students: Giving eligible 16- and 17-year olds the ability to pre-register to vote, so that their registration is automatically activated when they turn 18.

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Hawaii Public Radio The Conversation – March 10, 2021: Will Hawaii Adopt Automatic Voter Registration?

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Hawaii Public Radio The Conversation – March 10, 2021: Will Hawaii Adopt Automatic Voter Registration?

Common Cause on automatic voter registration

2020 saw changes at the Hawaii Office of Elections, which conducted its first election entirely by mail. Now, another innovation is on the docket - automatic voter registration. Sanday Ma of Common Cause Hawaii spoke to The Conversation's Savannah Harriman-Pote about what "automatic" voter registration actually means. SB 159 passed through the Senate and has made it to the House. If it passes there, Hawaii would join 20 other states that already have AVR.

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Honolulu Star-Advertiser – February 28, 2021 – Column: Automatic voter registration promotes the right to vote

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Honolulu Star-Advertiser – February 28, 2021 – Column: Automatic voter registration promotes the right to vote

It is encouraging that there are several bills before this legislative session that propose the next logical step of automatic voter registration (AVR). That includes bills introduced in the state House of Representatives by Speaker Scott Saiki and in the Senate by longtime AVR champion Sen. Karl Rhoads. One bill, introduced by Rep. Mark Nakashima, received unanimous support at its first hearing. Hopefully that legislative momentum will reverberate.

AVR is a policy tool that will allow our government to make the voter...

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