[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 8 (Tuesday, February 1, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E114]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          INTRODUCING SAME DAY VOTER REGISTRATION LEGISLATION

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                         HON. MARTIN OLAV SABO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 1, 2005

  Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing the Same Day Voter 
Registration Act of 2005. This legislation is simple and 
straightforward: it would allow every eligible citizen to register and 
vote on Election Day for Federal elections.
  The right to vote is the most fundamental of American democratic 
values. Yet, last November we again heard disturbing reports of voter 
intimidation, disenfranchisement, machine error, and fraud. If we truly 
value the right to vote, we must do more to restore public trust in the 
integrity of our election process.
  We should also remove cumbersome voter preregistration requirements. 
My home State of Minnesota has allowed same day voter registration 
since 1974. The result: Minnesota is a national leader in voter 
participation. In 2004, 77.7 percent of eligible Minnesotans voted. 
Over 20 percent of those voters registered on Election Day.
  Same-day voter registration has greatly contributed to consistently 
high voter turnout in Minnesota. I believe this law has also encouraged 
new voters, especially young people, to turn out in higher numbers.
  Many of the States with low voter turnout also have preregistration 
requirements of up to 30 days. It is unknown how many Americans have 
been prevented from exercising their constitutional right to vote only 
because they were unaware of cumbersome preregistration requirements. 
My bill will ensure that everyone with the legal right can vote, even 
those who become engaged in the closing days of an election.
  I hope that my colleagues will join me in making Same Day Voter 
Registration the law of the land.

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