The so-called “Motor Voter” law of 1993 created a national mandate: when people obtain their drivers’ licenses at the Department of Motor Vehicles, ask them if they’d also like to register to vote.
The federal mandate is perhaps heavy-handed, but the underlying idea has merit.
Now a new idea is gaining ground, taking the notion (nudge, nudge) a step further. Let’s not bother asking people if they want to sign up to vote, the proposal runs. Government should simply register them. Without asking.
It is a form of paternalism.
“It flips the presumption, where right now they ask you if want to be registered,” argues D.C. Council member Charles Allen. “Instead of that, we’re just going to go ahead and get you registered, and that absolutely helps enfranchise voters.”
“Lawmakers in 32 states have introduced measures in the last year to automatically register drivers to vote,” reports the Washington Post.
Some folks contend there isn’t much difference between asking if someone wants to register and registering them without asking. Well, if there isn’t much difference, why spend the $659,000 that Washington, D.C. officials estimate it will cost over the next four years for their new “don’t‑ask” program.
Of course, there is a difference in the two policies: sort of like between offering people something to eat and force-feeding them.
Some Americans have no desire to vote or be registered. It is surely no business of any state or local government to act as if their preferences don’t count.
And what good are a bunch of names on a voter list if they aren’t interested? Is someone going to vote for them?
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.
7 replies on “The $659,000 Non-Question”
Why not do the same for concealed carry firearms licienses at the same time and manner? These are both constitutional rights.
I like the way you think, John.
I wonder which party affilliation they will register people under? Hmmm!
How about determining their ELIGIBILITY to vote, first?
You don’t need to be a citizen to drive a car. You can be a permanent resident and still not be allowed to vote. It’s more than paternalism. It’s a failure to uphold the voting law and anyone who does this is guilty of aiding and abetting voter fraud. They are accessories before the fact.l
Right on the money.
.
Since this appears to be a “democrat” idea, that is probably the primary reason they want to do it.
The more names there are “registered”, the more that can be utilized to vote for the candidate of choice by absentee or other means without their even knowing.
Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should Motor/Voter be expanded! In fact, it should be repealed altogether! It is the responsibility of US citizens to get registered to vote themselves. It used to be a right of passage when we turned 21! Now 18-year-olds who are so stupid they don’t know who we fought in World War II or who was US President during the American Civil War are expected to decide who should get paid $175,000 per year to represent them in Congress! President Bill Clinton set up Motor/Voter in the 1990’s to pave the way for his wife’s run for President! Washington State was the first state to issue driver’s licenses to illegal aliens. That was in 1993. That drew illegals to Washington State like a magnate! Eleven (11) other states plus the District of Columbia followed suit, but none did until 2014 – 2016, no doubt in preparation for presidential race! And Hillary Clinton won 11 of 12 states who grant licenses to illegals! NOT A SMIDGIN OF VOTER FRAUD INVOLVED IN THAT OUTCOME, RIGHT? Only the Voter Fraud Commission will know for sure until the final report comes out, and only God knows when that will be!