It’s time to change our election system

This year, early vote and vote-by-mail turnout in Broward County smashed all prior non-presidential election cycle totals. Some of the reasons may include the charged political and social environment, as well as issues important to our local community. In addition, with 22 early voting sites open 12 hours a day for 14 days, it was more convenient than ever to vote early. For vote-by-mail, the postage is pre-paid and with long ballots, voters can take time at home to cast their ballot. Even with all this, Florida is antiquated when it comes to allowing every potential eligible voter to cast a ballot on Election Day.

In the weeks leading to the election, there was no shortage of excitement across the political spectrum, even if the advertising and rhetoric became tiresome; the advertising and punditry were focused on motivating people to vote. However, Florida law stops all voter registration 29 days before an election. So, if you turned 18 or became a citizen after Oct. 9, 2018, you were disenfranchised this election, no matter how much research you did on the issues or how badly you wanted to vote. If you hadn’t voted in the past or were removed from the voting rolls without your knowledge, but became motivated to vote in the last few days, you were denied the right to vote.

Data and experience tell us that the number of those who want to vote but are unable to is a meaningful number. But to those denied because of an arbitrary date chosen to stop voter registration, the only number that matters is their one vote never cast.

There is a solution, and it is far from novel.

While it is true that most states require registration before Election Day, with Florida at the extreme end with a 29 day cutoff, 17 states and the District of Colombia have one form or another of same day voter registration. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 15 states allow eligible voters to register and vote on Election Day; two states allow same day registration only during the early voting period.

In states with same day registration, they follow strict proof of residency requirements and use different methods to address potential fraud, including various database cross-checks or allowing only a provisional vote until residency is validated. Some require a sworn statement, and follow up with post-election efforts to validate residency with stiff criminal penalties for fraud or referral for investigation.

Importantly, those who constantly raise the specter of voter fraud have not been able to identify any meaningful incidence of voter fraud in same day voter registration states.

Some critics argue that if the new voter truly cared, they would have registered before the deadline. This judgmental position elevates an arbitrary date chosen over the paramount importance of the right to vote. Moreover, it is idealistic to believe all potential voters are engaged year round. In the finals weeks and days, for some the profound impact of voting, or not voting, becomes far clearer.

There are some potential costs with database cross-checks, setting up procedures, increase of staffing at some level, and post-voting verifications. But, it has been reported that for states which have experience with same day voter registration, the increase in costs in marginal.

On the other hand, the data and common sense strongly suggests that same day registration increases voter turnout. The real overall impact has been difficult to measure conclusively, considering an election cycle turnout can be influenced by many factors.

Some have reported as much as a 7 percent increase in voter turnout; others believe that same day voter registration will increase youth turnout by as much as 14 percent.

Either way, if you became eligible or became excited about exercising your right to vote after Oct. 9, 2018, but had not registered, your voice, as demonstrated through a vote cast, was silenced in our Florida democracy.

It is time for Florida to eliminate the arbitrary deadline for registration, utilize available technology to ensure the integrity of the registration process and follow other states that recognize same day registration best ensures and motivates the right to vote for all eligible voters.