Voter Registration


  • HOW TO REGISTER VOTERS – THE RIGHT WAY

    Carol Staley
    Former Assistant County Clerk/Registrar of Voters
    Marin and Placer Counties

    As we approach a very important election, the process of voter registration takes on paramount importance.  Many activists will spend the summer months behind registration tables at fairs and farmers markets. They know that registration is an integral part of maximizing votes for their candidates in November.  But many would-be voters fail to understand the intricacies of voter registration, and they can inadvertently disenfranchise themselves from the voting process if they aren’t properly advised.

    The most common mistake on the part of the voter is failing to re-register after a move.  Federal and State “fail-safe” voting procedures allow voters to cast a provisional ballot in the precinct where they currently reside if they find that their name is not on the voter rolls.  But they must be registered elsewhere in the SAME COUNTY for their vote to count.  A good rule of thumb is to register any potential voter who has changed his/her address, name, or party affiliation.

    The Federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) also requires voters to provide their California drivers license number on the registration form (lacking that, they may substitute the last four digits of their Social Security number).  The voter must also sign the registration form and in doing so also check that he/she is an American Citizen, 18 years of age by the next election (November 4, 2008).

    Other points to keep in mind when registering voters:

    • After the voter completes the form it is important to make sure all sections, 1 – 14 (15 is optional), are complete and legible.
    • You must complete Section 12 and the Registration Form Receipt at the bottom of the form and the receipt MUST BE GIVEN TO THE VOTER.
    • California Law requires that you mail or deliver the registration cards within 3 working days after completion.
    • Registration of voters ends 15 days prior to the election, which for this election is Oct. 20, 2008.

    There is often a great deal of confusion on the part of the voter regarding party affiliation. If you are involved in a non-partisan registration program, you must register all potential voters irrespective of the desired party affiliation.  It is advisable, however, to point out Section 9 on the Voter Registration Card (Political Party) and explain that California recognizes only six political parties.

    If the person does not wish to affiliate with one of these parties he/she may select “I Decline to State a Political Party”.  In Primary Elections these voters have an option to vote for any political party candidate whose party rules allow “crossover voting”.  Currently, only the Democratic, Republican and American Independent parties allow such crossovers.

    Voters need to differentiate between “American Independent Party” (a recognized political party) and “Independent” (which is not a political party).  In actuality “Independent” really means “Decline to State”, also referred to as “Non-Partisan”. The potential voter may also write in a non-recognized political party under “Other” in the party section.  But these voters will also be treated as “Decline to State” for voting purposes.

    The Voter Registration Form also has a space for a voter to sign up as a Permanent Vote by Mail Voter (Section 11).  This enables the voter to automatically receive a Vote by Mail ballot without the usual letter/form of request in each election. Many voters select this option without reading the “fine print” in the section.  Then they wonder why they are receiving a Vote by Mail ballot and waste a lot of time trying to get removed from Permanent Vote by Mail status.

    It is a good idea to point this section out to the voter and explain the convenience of Vote by Mail.  If the voter prefers to show up at the poll on election day, this section SHOULD NOT BE COMPLETED!  Of course any voter who has received a Vote by Mail ballot always has the option of turning the ballot in to the polling place on Election Day and then voting in the regular manner.

    Click here for detailed information on conducting voter registration drives and other guidelines for campaign management.