Carnahan criticizes Missouri registration method
Missouri’s secretary of state slammed the state’s voter registration process on the eve of today’s deadline in St. Joseph.
“I think registration is a waste of time,” Robin Carnahan, a Democrat, told the News-Press’ Editorial Board.
She said states, like North Dakota, Minnesota and Vermont, that allow voters to register on Election Day, have made the process more convenient for them.
Other states, including Kansas, automatically update voter registration when citizens obtain their driver’s licenses.
“Showing up to vote is the civic act we want them to do,” she said. “A bunch of hoops ... isn’t helping anyone.”
She also plugged early voting, a proposal that died in the Legislature this year that would’ve allowed people to vote prior to an election in designated areas without having to come with the excuses required for an absentee ballot.
Ms. Carnahan, who is seeking a second term, sought an endorsement from the News-Press Tuesday. Mitchell Hubbard, a Fulton, Mo., Republican, is challenging her.
But she said her primary reason for visiting St. Joseph Tuesday was to promote the significance of military voting.
Later Tuesday at the Missouri National Guard Armory, she attempted to publicize a little-known perk for Missourians serving overseas in designated areas and their families: The state allows them to fax or e-mail their absentee ballots to their election officials.
The change went into effect by the 2004 presidential election, but Buchanan County Clerk Pat Conway said just four soldiers e-mailed or faxed their ballots to his office that year. More than 3,300 soldiers and overseas citizens cast absentee ballots in the November 2006 election and more are expected this year, according to Ms. Carnahan’s office.
Anyone here who will be 18 by Nov. 4 can register to vote by filling out a form at the clerk’s office, at Fifth and Jules streets, in the Buchanan County Courthouse by 5 p.m. today.
Alyson E. Raletz can be reached at alysonraletz@npgco.com.
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I disagree with Robin Carnahan. Voter Registration is NOT a waste of time. As a non-paid Deputy Registrar for Buchanan County, myself and a fellow non-paid Deputy Registrar recently went into the high schools, tech schools, colleges, health clinics, and other areas around town, to provide a convenient opportunity for Buchanan County residents a method of registering to vote. We had great success. Voter Registeration empowered our young people, providing an opportunity to have their say at the polls. As they attested to the information provided, they beamed with proudness and signed their Voter Registration form. We too, were proud to be a part of this time in their respective lives. If registration were done on election day, it would cause great chaos and confusion as the margin of error would be slim to none. The Voter Registration rite of passage would be diminished. We encouraged those outside Buchanan County to seek voter registration at their respective court house and/or County Clerk. We also took Voter Registration for those who have had name changes and/or address changes. We met people of all ages, race, socioeconomic backgrounds, religion, and gender. A young African American who recently returned from his tour of duty in Iraq; proud but without a job (recently applied at the News-Press). A naturalized Hispanic American who did not have insurance and was distraught as his 7 year old son was ill. A Cosmetology student who had a deep laceration to her finger but didn't seek professional treatment for her injury secondary to no insurance; instead taped it and hoped for the best. More than one felon who were unaware that their right to vote is automatically restored as soon as their sentence is complete, including probation or parole. However, one must register to vote (this law varies state-to-state). When the criteria was met, these Americans stated how good it felt to have their voting rights restored, most especially during this historic election. Robin Carnahan does good work and her intentions are well taken; however, on this matter she is off her mark. In fact, although the online services maintanined by the office of the Secretary of States, which determines if you are registered to vote and to find the location of your polling place, is "currently unavailable" (nonfunctioning). You can verify your status and location by contacting the County Clerk for Buchanan County, Pat Conway at 816/271-1412; he and his staff will assist. Again, Voter Registration is not a waste of time; it is a privilege which enables you to vote. VOTE November 4th.
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