http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/vote-47-mb5-s5.jpgWisconsin Conservation Voters, League of Women Voters, other voter rights groups say plan will make registering to vote easier and more accessible for everyone.

MADISON – In his Feb. 16 budget address, Gov. Tony Evers proposed funding for automatic voter registration to improve accessibility to the polls and to keep voting information accurate and updated.

Member organizations of the Wisconsin Voting Rights Coalition (listed below) support this funding. Reports like this one by the Brennan Center for Justice show automatic voter registration is cost effective and efficient at keeping voter information accurate and up-to-date compared to the current system.

Shauntay Nelson, the Wisconsin State Director of All Voting is Local said this about today’s announcement:

"This funding will help implement new systems that allow the Department of Motor Vehicles to transmit secure voter information to the Wisconsin Elections Commission daily. As election officials work to improve the security and integrity of our voting systems, it’s time for them to adopt proven policies like automatic voter registration.

Automatic voter registration is the best option for secure and fair election registration that will benefit all voters. From rural areas to urban city centers, voter information will be automatically updated and new voters will be automatically registered when people interact with the DMV. These updates will make registering to vote easier and more accessible for all voters, particularly those who are frequent movers, live in rural areas, or have disabilities.”

Debra Cronmiller, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, made this statement:

“The right to vote is a fundamental principle of our democracy. When more Americans can participate in our elections, the outcome better reflects who we are as a country. Our volunteers have been behind some of the most important voting reform victories in recent years. Fighting for access for all voters including automatic voter registration will ensure that all Wisconsinites' votes can be cast and will be counted.”

Organizations that signed on to this statement: Wisconsin Conservation Voters, League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, All Voting Is Local, African American Roundtable, Inc., ACLU of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice, Voces de la Frontera, Common Cause Wisconsin, Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Disability Rights Wisconsin, Wisconsin Education Association Council, Black Leaders Organizing for Communities (BLOC)

###

Engaging voters to protect Wisconsin's environment.