Automatic voter registration good for our democracy

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has unveiled his two-year budget proposal for the consideration of our state representatives. There is a lot to chew on here, and much of what Evers is proposing will never become law. The Republican-controlled Legislature has a history of tearing up the governor’s plans and rewriting their own, only for much of it to be vetoed by the Governor. One step forward, two steps back. But one thing that should become law, despite past opposition, is to make it easier for people to register to vote. In fact, it would be automatic. Evers wants Wisconsin to join the list of 22 states that have automatic voter registration. Basically, when you get a driver’s license or do other business with the state DMV, your name would be put on file as registered to vote. This would remove one hurdle from the voting process, and likely increase voter turnout. We should be making it easier for people to vote, not harder. Our democracy is founded on the notion that every eligible person has the right to cast a ballot, but they need to register first, and this bill would make it easier to do that.