Your Vote, Your Voice

 Your Vote, Your Voice

Michael Cannata

            There's a lot of talk going on about voter suppression. The impression is that states are purging their voter lists in an attempt to prevent people, especially poor people, read democrats, from voting.

            There may be some truth to the rumor. Maybe there are some local districts, maybe even entire states, where the effort to remove names from voter rolls is a blatant attempt by one party or the other to tilt the numbers of voters in their favor.

            In the interest of fairness, I just thought I'd offer my two cents.

            One of the most important elections in our country's history is fast approaching this November. The very future of America's political landscape is at stake. The voice of every voter must be heard.

            Keeping the voter rolls updated and accurate is an important task. Removing people that have died or moved away helps make maintaining them much easier. There are a lot of honest reasons why a voter's name may be deleted from the rolls. Public officials have a responsibility to make sure the information on their voters is current.

            So.... maybe it's a nefarious political plot... or maybe it's the result of over-zealous election officials that want to dot their I's and cross all their T's before the upcoming elections in November; With all the suspicions and accusation of voter fraud and Russian meddling, I really can't blame anyone for doing their best to make sure that anyone who votes, votes legally.

            There is no question that, come Election Day, some people who are properly registered may well find themselves prevented from voting, or find that they are in the wrong line, wrong district or that they are considered dead.

            I have a lot of ideas about how we can resolve a lot of the problems related to registering, tracking and identifying people when it comes time to vote on Election Day; Starting with the concept of "Election Day" itself.

            When it comes to federal elections that involve millions of people from every corner of the country we can't be in a hurry. We need to have an "Election Weekend."

            Stretching voting in a state or federal election over a few days would allow for the time needed to ensure that things go as smoothly as possible. It would allow time for everyone to find the time to make it to the polls. It would give a voter time to correct a mistake at the polls.

            Voters would have the time to obtain proper documentation and re-establish their right to vote and determine, in the case of an address change, where to vote if needed. More time to correct mistakes, regardless of who made them, would take a lot of pressure off of all involved. Most importantly it would give us the time to make sure the votes cast are counted correctly.

            I do believe a picture ID should be the preferred form of ID in order to vote in person at a polling station. For those who do not have a drivers license, picture ID's should be issued free of cost at any DMV, city or town hall, civic offices or post office.

            People confined to places like nursing homes and hospitals that are unable to physically go to a polling station should be given access to absentee ballots. Assistance in the process of properly identifying the voter and filing them should be the responsibility of the administrators of the facility.

            To help people stay in good standing everyone should be automatically re-registered whenever they renew their driver's license. Even if I don't vote for 10 years, Filing a tax return should serve as a notice of address and retain my right to vote. A recent tax return should serve as proof of current address.

            To remove the stigma of being targeted because you are a registered democrat or republican, election officials should not be allowed to ask for your party preference when registering.

            People should not be required to register as a member of any political party. Voter rolls should not identify a voter as a member of the democrat, republican or any other political party. IMO, everyone should be considered an independent when they enter the voting booth.  Who you vote for or what party you align with is a personal choice that you are free to reveal if you choose, but it doesn't need to be posted next to your name on the list of voters.

            Election officials have a civic responsibility to keep their voter information as current and accurate as possible. Voters have the same obligation.

            If you haven't voted in a long time... if you've moved to a new address, county or state, you need to go and make sure that the officials know who you are, where you are and that you are still alive.

            States may be purging names from their lists for whatever reason they see fit. Regardless, just because your name was removed, that doesn't mean you can't put it right back where it belongs.

            Voters need to understand one thing. Voting is one of those inalienable rights mentioned in the Declaration of Independence. Most importantly, it is a right you need to exercise to be sure it isn't abused. No matter if they purged your name or you just let it go long enough that you may have been removed. Go to your local office and register or re-register now.

            There are 4 months until November. More than enough time for anyone who is serious about voting and wants to be sure their name is still on the rolls and the information is correct to make things right.

            Your vote is your voice. Don't be silenced by their actions or your inaction.