Errbody In The House Getting Registered

The Washington Bus loves bills in the state legislature like a mother loves her children.  And like any mother, we could never choose a favorite.

But House Bills 2204 and 2205 are definitely getting their report cards posted prominently on the Bus's fridge.

House Bill 2204, which yesterday passed out of its first committee with an astounding $0 fiscal note would allow same-day voter registration.

Imagine.  It's November 6th, 2012.  People are waiving campaign signs in the air and calling you to go out and vote for Obama or Gay Marriage or Marijuana Legalization or Governor Jay Inslee and so much else.  But crap, you forgot to register within the 4 weeks prior.  If this bill passes, you could go in the same day and register to vote.

Regardless of what you've been doing for the last 4 weeks, all United States citizens have the right to have their voice heard.  Same day voter registration accomplishes this. Nine other states have enacted same day voter registration, and those 9 states saw a 7% increase in voter turnout in the 2008 Presidential Election.

And even better, in a legislative session plagued by debt, cuts, revenue shortfalls, and tears, the bill is revenue neutral.

House Bill 2205 is so pretty it's bound to win beauty pageants.  The bill, introduced by Reps Joe Fitzgibbon (D-The People's Hero), Andy Billig (D- SpokeAndy), Zach Hudgins (D-SOS), and Hans Zeiger (R-Let The People Vote) and boasting bipartisan support from 37 representatives in the house, would enable youth, aged 16 and 17 to register to vote. Voters would still have to be 18 to cast a vote.

According to the bill, 59% of eligible 18 to 29-year-olds are registered to vote, drastically less than the 71% of the general population.  And of the registered to vote 18 to 29-year-olds, 83% of them voted in the presidential election of 2008. Making it easier for young people to vote will increase representation in the political system.