21st Century Voting

 

   The COVID-19 virus has made states examine how they can hold elections that don't require in-person voting.   Our present voting processes were designed for a time when voting was restricted in ways we wouldn't accept today.   I have mentioned before that hopefully states will begin to move to more mail-in voting.
     If states move to mail-in voting there is a way that voting can be expanded in another way that would increase participation in elections.  States could mail ballots to every person in the state using state records that would greatly expand voting participation.  Income tax returns and driver licenses would capture most people in the states.  When you are asked if you would like to register to vote when renewing a Maryland driver's license you are not registered at that time but will only be sent a registration form in the mail.  Why not register people at that time?  Persons who didn't file a tax return or have a driver's license could request a voter form to be filled out under penalties for submitting false information.   Opponents of voter registration in this manner (i.e. Republicans) would come up with concerns about fraud and other reasons to oppose this change.  Election fraud is probably the most overhyped problem with voting today.  Putting obstacles in place to limit the number of voters should no longer be tolerated if we truly see ourselves as wanting more people to participate in our democratic elections.

P.S.
   Sometimes even Republicans don't hide their motivations.