EDR: A simple solution
By GuestDear Editor:
Every year in Massachusetts, thousands of people get married and change their last names, while many more change their addresses. These big and exciting changes often occupy people’s minds for months. During this hectic and new time, people are so focused on the settling process that they fail to recognize that they still have to make one very big and important change — their voting registration. As of right now, in order to vote in Massachusetts through traditional means, one must register or re-register if their registration is not up to date 20 days before election day. More often than not these people show up at the polls not realizing that they are ineligible to vote because of these barriers.
As a state, we pride ourselves on being one of the most diverse and inclusive in the nation. That’s why I don’t understand why we are putting up this restrictive deadline that alienates a huge group of eligible, prospective voters from doing so. Luckily, the state legislature is currently considering a policy to solve this issue: Election Day Registration (EDR). If EDR is passed then it would enable those with mistakes on their registration to get things fixed, and new voters to register right at the polls.
Getting married or moving causes us enough stress. Registering to vote shouldn’t. It’s time for Massachusetts to make EDR law.
Sincerely,
Haley Donovan
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=64710
Posted by Guest
on Feb 21 2020. Filed under From One Citizen to Another, Opinion.
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