Effects and Controversy
Registration laws making it harder to register have a strong correlation with lower percentages of people turning out to vote where voting is voluntary. This lower turnout is especially concentrated among low-income voters and young voters – i.e., those least likely to vote no matter what the registration requirements. Because of this, such laws are often controversial. Some advocate for their abolition, while others argue that the laws should be reformed, for instance: allowing voters to register on the day of the election. This tactic, called Election Day Registration, has been adopted by several US states: Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Wisconsin and Wyoming. For the 2012 election year, California has joined this list.
Read more about this topic: Voter Registration
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