2008 Woodie Awards
Vote Absentee
After veto, voting registration bill may get second chance
George Miller
Issue date: 10/16/07 Section: Metro
A bill aiming to increase voter participation in Rhode Island by allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote was vetoed by Gov. Donald Carcieri '65 in July, but may have a second chance if legislative leaders convene a special session later this month.
If introduced, House Bill 6215 would be identical to a bill passed by the General Assembly and vetoed by Carcieri earlier this year. The bill would not lower the voting age in Rhode Island, but instead would allow young people to register to vote earlier. Early participation makes subsequent voting more likely, said Fair Vote Rhode Island director Ari Savitzky '06, a former Herald opinions editor.
"That first election, when you're 18 or 19, is the most important ... in terms of setting that pattern for becoming a lifelong participant," Savitzky said. Minnesota, Maine, Oregon, Hawaii and Florida have similar laws on the books.
Currently, residents of Rhode Island can register to vote if they will be 18 by the next election day. Under HR 6215, Rhode Island residents as young as 16 would be able to pre-register early and be automatically registered to vote when they turn 18.
The bill would make it harder for the state to keep accurate voter registration rolls and prevent voter fraud, Carcieri said in a July press release upon vetoeing the bill. He added that yearly registration efforts at high schools and the ability to register to vote at the Department of Motor Vehicles have already made it easy for young voters to register.
Rep. Edwin Pacheco, D-Dist. 47, the bill's primary sponsor, said HR 6215 is Rhode Island's chance to be an example for the rest of the nation in terms of voter participation. Though Pacheco said he understands the governor's concerns, he called them "small excuses" for vetoing the bill.
Pacheco said he hopes the veto will be overridden. He said he has met with legislative leaders to discuss the prospect of a vote at a special session this fall, but said there has been no definitive answer on whether that session will take place.
If introduced, House Bill 6215 would be identical to a bill passed by the General Assembly and vetoed by Carcieri earlier this year. The bill would not lower the voting age in Rhode Island, but instead would allow young people to register to vote earlier. Early participation makes subsequent voting more likely, said Fair Vote Rhode Island director Ari Savitzky '06, a former Herald opinions editor.
"That first election, when you're 18 or 19, is the most important ... in terms of setting that pattern for becoming a lifelong participant," Savitzky said. Minnesota, Maine, Oregon, Hawaii and Florida have similar laws on the books.
Currently, residents of Rhode Island can register to vote if they will be 18 by the next election day. Under HR 6215, Rhode Island residents as young as 16 would be able to pre-register early and be automatically registered to vote when they turn 18.
The bill would make it harder for the state to keep accurate voter registration rolls and prevent voter fraud, Carcieri said in a July press release upon vetoeing the bill. He added that yearly registration efforts at high schools and the ability to register to vote at the Department of Motor Vehicles have already made it easy for young voters to register.
Rep. Edwin Pacheco, D-Dist. 47, the bill's primary sponsor, said HR 6215 is Rhode Island's chance to be an example for the rest of the nation in terms of voter participation. Though Pacheco said he understands the governor's concerns, he called them "small excuses" for vetoing the bill.
Pacheco said he hopes the veto will be overridden. He said he has met with legislative leaders to discuss the prospect of a vote at a special session this fall, but said there has been no definitive answer on whether that session will take place.