Research shows millions contain flawed information, invalidating ballots
Given all of the hype that surrounds improving voter registration numbers across the nation every four years (51 million eligible voters are unregistered), you would expect the registration process to be quick and simple. In reality, the numbers tell a different story.
A recent Pew Report reveals that 2.8 million people are registered as active in more than one state, 12 million registrations have serious errors and 2.2 million votes had to be discarded in the 2008 election due to registration problems alone.
While the voter identification law is a controversial topic here in South Carolina, the flaws of the voter registration process itself are often overlooked nationwide. According to the report, the “mobile population” is most affected by the mistakes in the system. This group consists primarily of college students, other young adults, the military and the poor. All of these voices are significantly impacted by government decisions and deserve to have their votes counted.
The college-age population has enough problems without having to worry about voter registration complications. The time it can take to deal with the bureaucracy is a luxury that the majority of the younger voting pool does not have available to sacrifice. Even the most politically involved can be turned off. The system mainly relies on paper to collect registrations, which results in countless errors when workers process information onto computers.
Especially regarding the younger population in today’s technologically advanced world, the familiarity with filling out electronic forms should be taken advantage of. Many students won’t know their vote won’t count until after they have voted, if the notice even reaches them at the correct address.
Young people are constantly on the move, splitting living arrangements among college apartments, parents’ homes and even nations abroad. The Pew Report shares that 25 percent of voters believe their registration is changed when they move.
No one is there to remind students that when they establish a new residency, they will need to reregister to vote with the state in which they are now residing. Recent graduates also face challenges for November elections because they are hunting for jobs and find themselves transitioning to a new location.
People should demand and expect more from the government. The United States is a democratic nation that constantly promotes its “free and fair elections” worldwide. Some countries, such as Peru and Argentina, have more functional voter registration systems that instead allow the national government to create its own registry of eligible voters. Not only does this save labor and money, it seems to be a logical fit with a democratic government.
The U.S. system needs an overhaul. The upcoming presidential election will be critical in determining the political atmosphere of the next four years. It should be the responsibility of the government to register its own voters to ensure that votes cast — from all groups of the population — count.