Proposition E - support

By Gayle yglesiasThe Guardsman

Proposition E will allow San Francisco citizens to both register and cast a ballot on the same day.  Passing Prop. E will eliminate the deadline set by the California Elections Code which requires voter registration 15 days before an election.

Today, there are eight states with some form of same-day voting.  These states have seen great success and an overall higher voter turnout.

The 2008 presidential election showed the five states with the highest voter turnouts were also ones that allowed same-day voting.

Should there really be a voter registration deadline at all?  The waiting period doesn’t accomplish anything. Voting isn’t nearly as dangerous as owning a firearm. And to do that, the waiting period is only seven days.

If same-day voting registration is passed, people will have the opportunity to vote without having to worry about deadlines and setting time aside to register.  All that can be taken care of in one day. What’s the harm in that?

In 2002, California voters narrowly failed to pass Proposition 52, which would have allowed election-day voter registration. Now, voters have another chance to pass this important measure.

From previous elections and their results, it is apparent that turnout will increase if same-day voter registration is allowed.

However, the deed is up to you in supporting this proposition.  Voting is essential to the democratic process and should be a top priority to citizens.  Elected officials should see the benefits of election-day voter registration too.  They should try to snatch up every vote they can get their hands on.  Fifteen days of waiting can make a huge difference in elections.  Every vote counts.