Number
180474
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
160538
Sponsor
ALD. JOHNSON, COOGS, MURPHY, RAINEY, STAMPER, LEWIS
Title
Resolution directing the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division to seek introduction and passage of State legislation to provide for voting pre-registration of 16- and 17-year-olds; for the acceptance of a mobile-compatible electronic voter identification system; and for universal voter registration.
Analysis
This resolution directs the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division to seek introduction and passage of State legislation to provide for:
1. Voting pre-registration of 16- and 17-year-olds.
2. The acceptance of a mobile-compatible electronic voter identification system.
3. Universal voter registration.
Body
Whereas, Young voters consistently have the lowest election turnout rates of any age group; and
Whereas, Many young eligible voters are not registered to vote; and
Whereas, Voting advocacy organizations recommend voter pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds, automatically adding them to voting rolls so they will be ready to vote at the time of their first election; and
Whereas, Several states, including California, Colorado, Louisiana, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Maryland, Rhode Island, and Washington, D.C. have adopted voter pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds; and
Whereas, Evidence collected from these states suggests pre-registration has limited to no fiscal impact but has a direct impact on voter registration rates and participation when implemented effectively; and
Whereas, Academic studies and electoral analyses show that voting behavior is habit-forming; people who vote continue voting, while those who do not vote typically do not start voting, accordingly, voter registration boosts civic engagement, particularly among the state’s youngest citizens; and
Whereas, The impact of pre-registration is similar for young Democrats and young Republicans; and
Whereas, In 2016, the U.S. Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology awarded a grant to support the development of digital driver’s license technology; and
Whereas, Several states are developing, testing, or considering digital driver’s licenses, which can be downloaded on a cellular telephone application, and several other states have launched pilot programs in preparation for a full-scale launch of the application; and
Whereas, 86% of people ages 18 to 29 own smart phones; and
Whereas, The convenience of carrying such digital identification may facilitate the ease of voting if digital identification were allowed as an acceptable form of identification at voting polls; and
Whereas, Allowing an additional access point for voters may increase voter participation; and
Whereas, Automatic voter registration can further increase voter turnout; and
Whereas, Twelve states and the District of Columbia have already approved automatic voter registration, and 20 states have introduced automatic registration proposals in 2018; and
Whereas, With automatic voter registration, eligible citizens who interact with government agencies, such as obtaining a driver’s license, are registered to vote or have their existing registration information updated unless they decline, and agencies transfer voter registration information electronically to election officials; and
Whereas, This policy boosts registration rates, cleans up the rolls, makes voting more convenient, and reduces the potential for voter fraud, all while lowering costs; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division is directed to seek introduction and passage of State legislation to provide for:
1. Voting pre-registration of 16- and 17-year-olds;
2. The acceptance of a mobile-compatible electronic voter identification system; and
3. Universal voter registration; and, be it
Further Resolved, That File Number 160538 is amended by inserting the following item in the document attached to the file and identified as “2017-18 State Legislative Package Proposals”:
|
Racial, Social, and Economic Equity |
Election Commission |
Seek passage of state legislation to provide for voting pre-registration of 16- and 17-year-olds. |
|
Racial, Social, and Economic Equity |
Election Commission |
Seek passage of state legislation to provide for the acceptance of a mobile-compatible electronic voter identification system. |
|
Racial, Social, and Economic Equity |
Election Commission |
Seek passage of state legislation to provide for universal voter registration |
.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB171516-1
Tea Norfolk
6/19/2018