This is topic Register to vote... today? in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.


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Posted by Nighthawk (Member # 4176) on :
 
So I'm waiting at the Dadeland bus station at 5pm when a guy walks up to me.

"Good evening. Are you registered to vote?"

"Um... No."

"Would you like to register?"

"What? Here? Now?"

"Yes."

"But the polls close in two hours and we're nowhere near them...?"

"No need to be worried sir." (pulls out stack of forms) "I have the form here. I just need some information from you and there's a voting precinct a block from here you can go to that will accept these form and look you up in the computer."

I look at the form. First line asks me for my Social Security number.

"Now you're *really* joking... You, a complete stranger, want me to just give you my Social Security number and other personal information just so I can run a block away and vote?"

"Well... yes."

(blank state)

"So do you want to register?"

"I think I answered that question, don't you think?"

"Right, sir. Thank you for your patience."

I walk over to the security at the Metrorail station, and they proceed to escort the man out of the area.

-=O=-

So I have to ask... Can someone register to vote on the same day?

And would you give all the necessary information to a complete stranger at a bus station?
 

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Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
 
Minnesota has same day registration at the polls. You show up with a current utility bill in your name at your address and picture ID, or a registered voter from the same precinct who will vouch for you, and you can vote. You cannot register same day anywhere other than the polling place, however. And no, I would not give my SSN to anyone who approched me on the street, for any reason.
 

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Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
 
At least in my state I'm pretty sure the deadline was the first of November or before.
 

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Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
 
I wouldn't give out my SSN either.

Michigan will have same day registration in two years for the next big election, many other states have it too.

Nighthawk, if I were you, I would have gone to the precinct and asked them directly. More and more these days, precincts are being told to err on the side of democracy, in other words, accept their ballot, and sort it out later. Chances are they would have allowed you to vote on a paper ballot, checked to see where you should have voted, and then forwarded the vote there. Keep in mind that knowingly voting in the wrong district, "Ann Coultering," is a serious federal crime. But I still would have checked it out if I were you.
 

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Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
 
I'm under the impression that you have to register a few weeks in advance to vote in Florida.

-o-

"Ann Coultering"?
 

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Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
 
Same Day Registration is a nightmare. Lots of dead people can register like that.

Lots of dead people can also vote with motor voter, absentee ballots, and early voting.

Further, we should have to show ID to vote.

People are so worried about the electronic voting machines when the old fashioned ways to cheat are too easy.

We REALLY need to tighten up our voting procedures.
 

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Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :
 

quote:

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"Ann Coultering"?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Icarus:
I'm under the impression that you have to register a few weeks in advance to vote in Florida.

-o-

"Ann Coultering"?

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