Enact Election Day Registration in Iowa!

By ICAN
Antiquated Iowa state law requires people to register 10 days before an election. Just when a race gets interesting, it's too late.   It's time for Iowa to take away the barriers and allow citizens to register to vote on Election Day.
 
The Iowa Citizen Action Network (ICAN) is currently working with legislative leaders in the House and Senate and with the Iowa Secretary of State’s office to promote Election Day Registration (EDR) legislation. EDR is very reasonable voter registration policy, and is currently in effect in two of Iowa's neighboring states, Minnesota and Wisconsin. ICAN has been active in promoting civic engagement for its entire history – registering voters door-to-doorr with its field organizing efforts, and running non-partisan voter mobilization drives. Making voter registration easy and convenient is an effective way to increase civic participation.   Allowing registration on Election Day brings people into the electoral process who are often excluded, like students, renters, and low-income people.
 
We're asking all members of the State House of Representatives and Senate to publicly support Election Day Registration and open up the electoral process in Iowa. Please contact your legislators TODAY in support of EDR!
 
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Take Action Now! Your Activism Makes a Real Difference!
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Please your state representative and senator that you support Election Day Registration legislation and that you want them to help it pass.   PLEASE USE YOUR OWN WORDS as much as possible when you email, call or write to make your position known. And be sure to include your name, address, and phone number so that your elected officials can let you know their position.
 
To contact your Senator and Representative visit the Iowa General Assembly web site:
http://www.legis.state.ia.us/FindLeg/
 
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Talking Points:
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Please use any of the following points when telling your legislators why you are asking them to support Election Day Registration:
 
* Election Day Registration is one of the best ways to make voting accessible for all eligible citizens, especially young people and those who have recently moved.
 
* EDR will make elections easier to run because it will end the need for the vast majority of provisional ballots. Voters who have problems with their registrations or have recently moved, will simply register at the polls and cast a regular ballot.
 
* EDR is safe from voter fraud. Registrants are required to provide identification and proof of residence, and strict penalties apply to anyone who attempts to register fraudulently.
 
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Sample Letter:
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Dear Senator (or Representative) __________________,
 
I urge you to help pass the Election Day Registration bill. This bill would allow eligible voters to register to vote on at the polls on Election Day.
 
The electoral process is something that should be open to all eligible citizens.   Unfortunately, the current voter registration deadline 10 days before the election closes off participation just as many people start thinking about the races.
 
Seven states already allow Election Day Registration, and voter participation in these states is 12% higher than in states with pre-election registration cutoffs.   These states have proved that EDR works.  

In many places, it has actually made elections run more smoothly because it eliminates the need for provisional ballots, as voters who don't show up at the rolls can just register on the spot. There have been no documented cases of election fraud arising because of Election Day Registration, which requires photo ID.
 
Please help pass Election Day Registration in 2007 and encourage the entire State Legislature to do the same.
 
 
Sincerely,

Your Name
Your Address
 
Remember to put your e-mail, phone message, or letter in your own words – the previous sample letter   is justt included as an example!
 
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More Details:
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For more information on Election Day Registration, visit ICAN on the web or see the website of our nation partner on this issue, Demos.

Thank you for joining the effort to make the most fundamental right we have in our democracy – voting – acceccessible to anyone who is eligible to participate.

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And as always, please let us know that you took action --
 
To learn more about ICAN's work or to get more involved contact
Amy Logsdon, ICAN Political Director at 319-354-8116 or
ALogsdon@IowaCAN.org and visit ICAN on the web at
www.iowacan.org .
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