Iowa reviews Election Day registration
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By Dan Gearino | Wednesday, February 21, 2007 |
TODAY: (Updated 10:31 a.m.) DES MOINES – A new legislative proposal would allow Iowans to register to vote on Election Day.
The bill, which has the support of Gov. Chet Culver and Secretary of State Michael Mauro, would end the current 10-day cutoff for voter registration before elections. The measure may be debated later today in the Senate State Government Committee.
"I think this is an important step forward for Iowa," said Sen. Jeff Danielson, D-Waterloo.
This is one of many ideas that have new life now that Democrats have gained majorities in the Iowa House and Senate.
Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire and Wisconsin are among the small number of states that already allow registration on Election Day.
Sen. Mark Zieman, R-Postville, has opposed similar proposals in the past but now has little power to stand in the way.
"I'm very concerned about the integrity of the voting system," he said.
Fraudulent voting is a felony punishable by up to five years in jail and up to a $7,500 fine, but Zieman argues the penalty doesn't matter because state and local agencies are reluctant to enforce the law.
Mauro said the new proposal would clarify who enforces the law, with the responsibility placed on the state registrar of voters, who would work with county attorneys and the Attorney General's Office.
He said Iowa is working with other states to detect when voters cast ballots in multiple states, usually by voting absentee in one state and in person in another state. Right now, Iowa shares its voter information with Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. He said the state is in the process of setting up similar agreements with Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Danielson said the new registration proposal is a important part of making the voting system more modern and accessible.
"I think we can modernize our systems and still have integrity and accountability," he said.
Dan Gearino can be reached at 515-243-0138 and dan.gearino@lee.net.
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