manton
manton

Today is the last day to register to vote in Texas. I double-checked my registration today just in case. All good. Planning to early vote next week. Let’s do this. 🇺🇸

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In reply to
lmika
lmika

@manton I'm just curious as to how election registration works in the US. Do you need to register for each election, or is this something that you do only once when you're first entitled to vote? I'm just wondering if it's similar to how registration works here in Australia.

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manton
manton

@lmika Just once, and then updating it when you move. Normally I wouldn't think to "check" it, but this is a crazy time here. Can't be too sure.

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baker
baker

@manton @lmika It also can depend on what state you live in. In Oregon, the process of applying for a state ID or driver's license automatically registers you to vote. But you have to keep your address up to date, because we vote by mail, so the County (the counties manage the election process in Oregon) knows where to mail your Voters Pamphlet and your ballot.

The most recent victory for expanding voting access in Oregon happened when the Secretary of State (who regulates eections in Oregon) decided to put return postage on the mail-in ballots. It seems that many younger voters do not keep stamps around, so this was a huge part of getting the youth vote out.

All of this stuff (and more) can vary by state.

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lmika
lmika

@manton Ah, OK. Sounds like it’s more or less the same as registration here. Register once when you’re allowed to vote, then just make sure you let the electoral commission know when you change address. Thanks for that.

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lmika
lmika

@baker Interesting to hear that you’re automatically registered when you get a drivers license. Over here, voting is compulsory but registration is not automatic, you still have to apply for it.

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baker
baker

@lmika “Motor-Voter" in its day was extremely progressive in terms of expanding voting access to a huge group of people, many of whom were not already registered. In recent years, Oregon has done a lot of great work in terms of expanding voting rights and access.

I love the idea of compulsory voting. I think Belgium does that too.

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