CARBUCKLE@UMKCVAX1.BITNET (Valentine M. Smith) (02/09/90)
Do you all think that voter registration by mail and driver's license renewals will up the number of voters? Will it cause more voting? Why or why not?
SASHA@BROWNVM.BITNET (Sasha Magee) (02/09/90)
Valentine asks if various new ways of registering will increase the vote. My response is that I hardly think so. I think the real problem is that people don't have a choice...Why bother voting if the two people running are vi rtually identical in all their positions? although easier registration cant hurt... ---s
BI705001@BROWNVM.BITNET (Susan J. Luckel) (02/09/90)
well, it's working to a limited degree in Rhode Island. we got the gov to agree to a limited experiment, and since Jan. 1 they've registered over 150 new voters. that's with little or no fanfare. i think it's a reasonable approach. we still need to find a way to seek out those voters who don't drive or who already have their licences...
DBE@NCCIBM1.BITNET (David Best) (02/09/90)
> Do you all think that voter registration by mail and driver's license renewals > will up the number of voters? Yes, either that or decrease the number of apathetic drivers.
UNCPJS@UNC.BITNET (Peter J. Schledorn) (02/09/90)
> Do you all think that voter registration by mail and driver's license renewals > will up the number of voters? Will it cause more voting? Why or why not? In my view, _anything_ that makes registration easier is a good idea. Our low voter turnout is scandalous. True, there is often little or nothing to distinguish major party candidates from each other, but there is no shortage of minor-party candidates in many areas. Maybe they won't win, but that's no reason to refrain from voting for someone you like. Votes are speech, too. There was a funny Johnny Carson line on this topic (!?) last night. He mentioned registration at the Department of Motor Vehicles, then said, "Of course, when you think of speed and efficiency, the DMV springs immediately to mind." Best, Peter.
KWILCOX@AUVM.BITNET (ken wilcox) (02/10/90)
On Thu, 8 Feb 90 15:44:00 CST Valentine M. Smith said: >Do you all think that voter registration by mail and driver's license renewals >will up the number of voters? Will it cause more voting? Why or why not? As many people have stated it will not really increase voting significantly. The reasons for this could be general distaste for the parties (Little effect), general apathy or satisfaction with their situation (High probability). In D.C., we have had voter registration for new licenses for a while. I did it when I moved here and found it very easy. I have not voted yet since no election has happened. But i cant wait for the mayorial election so I can vote against the Democrats in a hopeless gesture of defiance of this corrupted party. If you hadn't here, Good old marion "I have a drinking problem" barry is considering returning full time to his job and possibly running again! AHHHHHHHHHH! Ken Wilcox
JWS@BROWNVM.BITNET (Joseph Sullivan) (02/11/90)
I'm opposed to driver's license voter registration in Rhode Island. We're likely to vote the way we drive.