In recent years, the GOP has raised the specter of Voter ID as a stick that many Democrats and unaffiliated voters consider a disincentive to voting. By contrast, many Republicans argue that any adult can get a photo ID, and it just makes good sense to institute such a measure. A skeptic might argue that its interesting that almost none of them feel that way about requiring such a measure to acquire a gun…but that’s a debate for another day. As we close in on 2024, a Presidential Election year, this post is all about voting.
In short, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro announced yesterday that the state will automatically register eligible Pennsylvanians to vote when they obtain or renew identification cards and driver licenses. In remarking about the move, Shapiro had this to say in a news release detailing the plan:
“I’m committed to ensuring free and fair elections that allow every eligible voter to make their voice heard. Automatic voter registration is a commonsense step to ensure election security and save Pennsylvanians time and tax dollars.”
Pennsylvania was a key battleground state in 2020. Most knowledgeable observers anticipate it will be again during the 2024 presidential election. As such, the state is likely to play a pivotal role in the fight for control of the US Senate, at which time, Pennsylvania Democratic Senator Bob Casey will be up for reelection. During the 2020 contest, the Keystone State was one of several states at the center of false claims about voter fraud promoted by the 45th POTUS, President Donald Trump and his allies and associates.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, at this point, twenty-three mostly Democratic run states, plus Washington, DC have implemented some method of automatic voter registration. This is a proactive measure that serves as a carrot, in response to the GOP’s aforementioned stick.
As of yesterday, Pennsylvania residents who go to the state’s Department of Transportation driver and photo license centers to get new or renewal licenses and ID cards will be “automatically taken through the voter registration application process unless they opt out of doing so.”
Conversely, according to Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt, a Republican nominated by Shapiro, in the past, eligible voters would have been required “to take additional steps to opt into the voter registration process. The voter is already in a state facility with their identification documentation in hand, and they will have their picture taken and sign their name electronically. Having all of that happen at the same time means the verification process is extremely secure and makes the registration more efficient.”
Not surprisingly, Pennsylvania House Republicans have pushed back against the Democratic Governor’s action, arguing this should have been done via the legislature…as if, the GOP legislature would have ever initiated such a pro-voter initiative. Fat chance!
State House Republican leader Bryan Cutler said in a statement provided to CNN:
“The problem here is not necessarily the end, but the means. This unilateral action on the eve of what is likely to be a hotly contested and close election will cause many Pennsylvania voters to continue to question the security and results of our system.” Does that sound like someone poised to push for enacting such a plan?
I don’t think so.
Based on information obtained from the Governor’s office, as of December 2022, 8.7 million Pennsylvanians were registered to vote. However, more than 10.3 million residents were eligible to register. Registered voters do not translate directly to the number of citizens who vote. But, almost certainly, if more than a million and a half more voters are registered, more people are going to vote. In our system of government, the higher the level of participation in the process, the more responsive our democracy. Based on both their political positions and their actions, we can be reasonably sure Republicans in general, and Republican elected officials in particular, do not agree with that principle. And that, gentle reader, is a shame. “Pennsylvania: Voter ID Counterpoint!”
I’m done; holla back!
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For more detailed information on a variety of aspects relating to this post, consult the links below:
https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/19/politics/pennsylvania-automatic-voter-registration-shapiro/index.html
http://thesphinxofcharlotte.blogspot.com/2023/09/pennsylvania-voter-id-counterpoint.html
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