It’s getting easier to register to vote in California–and that’s a good thing for our democracy and our environment.
One day before National Voter Registration Day, Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill moving California toward Election Day Voter Registration, and away from arbitrary and undemocratic cut-off dates for voter registration.
CLCV, our supporters and our partners including California Common Cause, Courage Campaign, Democracy for America and many others helped score this victory for democracy. When Election Day Voter Registration takes effect, voting will be open to any citizen who is eligible and willing to exercise this fundamental democratic right.
The new law, Assembly Bill 1436, will remove the cut-off date for voter registration (currently 15 days before the election) and will stop election officials from turning away eligible California voters by allowing same-day voter registration.
In response to the governor’s announcement that he’d signed the bill into law, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi issued a statement saying California “once again leads the way for our nation” by affirming “our commitment to ensuring all citizens have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote in our democracy.”
Assemblymember Mike Feuer, who authored AB 1436, said, “This new law will help assure that all eligible Californians will have the chance to determine who speaks for them in Washington, Sacramento and their hometowns. By recognizing the importance of increasing voter turnout in our state, we are improving the democratic process in California.”
Importantly, this law won’t be in effect for the upcoming November 6th, 2012 General Election. It won’t take effect until the Secretary of State certifies VoteCal, the new statewide voter database — that’s expected to happen in 2015. It’s still critical to register to vote at your current address by the current deadline: October 22, 2012.
When he signed the new law, Governor Brown said, “Voting – the sacred right of every citizen – should be simple and convenient. While other states try to restrict voters with new laws that burden the process, California allows voters to register online – and even on Election Day.”
As the governor pointed out, Californians can now register to vote online, thanks to a law CLCV supporters and a similar list of good-government groups helped pass last year. Secretary of State Debra Bowen recently announced that online voter registration is now live. Register to vote or update your address online now. »
California is once again leading the way on increasing participation in our elections, and we know that helps California voters make their strong environmental values a reality. We see it time and time again: When more Californians turn out to vote, the environment wins.
Our democracy depends on these kinds of progressive policies, and on folks like CLCV members who work to pass them. It’s a very, very good day for democracy in the Golden State.
