Testimony Hb476 Edr

February 19, 2009 HB 476 – Election Day Registration – SUPPORT Madam Chair and Members of the Committee: Judging by its success in nine other states, there are hundreds of thousands of reasons to support Election Day registration –the hundreds of thousands of new voters it creates. Consider voter turnout from the 2008 presidential election: STATE Minnesota Wisconsin Maine New Hampshire Iowa Colorado Michigan Alaska Missouri Oregon Maryland

TURNOUT 78.20% 72.50% 71.40% 71.30% 69.90% 69.80% 68.90% 68.30% 68.10% 67.80% 67.70%

EDR? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

The top five states in the country all used Election Day registration, and boasted on average a ten-point lead in turnout over the national average. These states were not first tier battleground states. For Common Cause, this reform matters because we believe government works better when more people participate in the democratic process. Candidates win with stronger mandates, and perhaps feel more accountable to the voters who elected them. This reform has been tested and proven, and its time has come. A constitutional referendum will be a zero-cost way to start the discussion, leaving plenty of time for our election administrators to prepare to put it into effect in the years ahead. Sincerely,

Ryan O’Donnell Executive Director