Why do you need to register to vote in the US?
 

Where I live everybody that can vote automatically gets a voting card a few weeks before the election. On election day you then just take the voting card and your ID and go vote.

Just wondering what's the advantage of having the registration? :)

Just another way for Republicans to shut out the lower class vote.


LOL

where do you live? Even in canada you have to register to vote (*they come to your door and take the info) On voting day you bring the card and ID along, but its not automatic

I live in Germany. The voter turnout here is pretty low already and I'm sure it would be even lower if people had to register beforehand.

In the U.S. voting is for the elite only. The original constitution called for white free men owning land to be the only voters.

Naturally we have loosened that up a bit, but hell, do you really want *everybody* voting? :1orglaugh

Seriously though if you can't be bothered to figure out how to register its probably a good thing you can't vote either. The idea that you have to actually take the time, go register, think about it a little bit might not be a bad thing. All kidding aside the constitution framers were terrified of an ignorant population voting on emotion.

our voting system is so accurate and flawless! why question it?


:1orglaugh

Because they need to find a way to spend our tax dollars so they can justify taxing us some more it's a visous cycle...

In every part of the world it is like this. The US and Canada are an exception again.

In Germany you have to register your address with the local council or police (I'm not sure what they're called) so that probably goes on the electoral register..

Well, there are other countries where you need to register but I never understood why. I mean, if you go there to register they need to have the info whether you are allowed to vote or not. Why not just send the voting card automatically then?

Actually that's not true, in plenty of other countries you have to register to vote.

The reason is generally because they have no idea where in the country you are.

You don't have to register where you are living in the country so they don't know which electorate to include you in.

Einwohnermeldeamt :)

I was living in the US going to grad school and I was registered as a resident there, including my address and other details.

Well you probably had to apply for the right visas etc, so that would require some degree of registration.

I don't know about the US, but in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom the Government has no clue specifically where I'm living. I don't have to register with any agency.

I found it totally bizarre when I came to Germany and I was expected to go register.

thats not the only bizarre thing in germany :1orglaugh

don't get me started on the language...

AARGH. :)

You don't need to register anywhere in Australia, New Zealand and the UK? But in Australia, for example, it's mandatory to vote. How do they enforce this if they don't even know where you live?

Yep... deutsche sprache schwere sprache... drei artikel vor einem wort... das* die der teufel hole :winkwink:

* das should be dass but it wouldn't make sense then :)

Yeah in Australia it is mandatory, but I'm not sure it's is harshly enforced, or if it is the penalties are relatively mild..

You're right though, that registration probably lowers turnout a little.

The articles are hard enough, then you have to declinate everything :)

ich möchte einen großen Latte.

It's pretty easy to register.... I did so yesterday, didn't need to show them ID and I was done in about 2-3 minutes... now they are going to mail be a ballot. Elections are coming up quick!

I'm currently living 2,000 miles from where I was last registered to vote so I am sure the registration helps with that :)