[EL] here's a crazy idea for voter registration

[Doug Hess]

I recall reading that in some county (I think this was in Canada prior to
changes made in the 1990s), they used to improve voter registration lists
by setting up bi-partisan (multi-partisan?) teams that would canvas a
neighborhood to make sure everybody was registered, correct or update
registrations (i.e., register people and clean up lists), and inform people
about where/when to vote.

Given all the tensions, it might be effective and newsworthy to find some
locations that would be willing to do that. Get a group from both parties,
make people promise to obey some list of "non-partisan" behaviors, pair
people up (or they can set up their own self-identified pair, e.g., husband
and wife from opposite parties, etc.), do some role playing, have some fun,
get trained in how to register people and answer their questions on where
to vote, etc. all the stuff many groups can do well. Then go knock doors
for for the afternoon in areas with low or moderate registration rates.

In no way would this solve the many and various problems in the
registering-balloting-counting vote process, but it might get some fun
media coverage and return attention to the theme of "everybody eligible
should be registered."

Douglas R. Hess, PhD
Washington, DC
202-955-5869
douglasrhess at gmail.com

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