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Hinkle says same day
registration
would undermine election integrity
13th
District lawmaker believes voting is a right that comes with
responsibility
Rep. Bill Hinkle is
opposing legislation that would require county auditors to accept voter
registrations up to and on the day of an election, saying it would not
leave enough time to verify the validity of registrants before they cast
ballots.
“Senate Bill 5561 would undermine election integrity – it’s as simple as
that,” said Hinkle, R-Cle Elum. “Elections need to be transparent
and manageable. This measure threatens both, while inviting fraud and
errors in final election results.”
Senate Bill 5561 would allow thousands of voter registrations to be
dumped on county auditors on Election Day, leaving the near-impossible
burden of verifying identities, ages, addresses, phone numbers,
citizenship status, and criminal records prior to final election
certification.
State law requires that in order to vote at any primary, special or
general election, a person must register at least 30 days before the
election. However, there are special procedures for late registration
when an unregistered elector may register up to 15 days before an
election.
Hinkle’s concerns stem partly from fraudulent voter registration
cards that were identified by King County election workers in the 2006
election. Hundreds, if not thousands, of voter registrations submitted
by the Association of Community Organizations for Reforms Now (ACORN)
contained forged signatures, false phone numbers and false addresses.
Among the tactics of this group is to save up voter registration cards
and submit them just before the established deadline. This overwhelms
election officials.
Senate Bill 5561 and Election Day registration is being promoted
by ACORN.
“Voting is a right, but that right comes with responsibility,” said
Hinkle. “There is no reason in my mind why someone can’t register in
the time currently allotted. If someone is serious about participating
in our democratic processes, they have plenty of time and resources to
take care of business.”
Senate Bill 5561 passed the state Senate 28-19, and passed out of
the House Committee on State Government and Tribal Affairs. It could
come to the House floor for a vote before the Legislature is scheduled
to adjourn April 22.
Hinkle can be contacted at (360) 786-7808 or
hinkle.bill@leg.wa.gov.
For more information on Hinkle visit:
http://www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/Hinkle/
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