By State Rep. Joe Cervantes
The history of voter registration in this country has been a history of exclusion. Since the founding of our nation, the battle to include every American in the electoral process has been hard fought. Originally only wealthy, white, male property owners were allowed to vote.
Though our democracy is imperfect, Americans have struggled through the years to right it.
The turn of the 20th century witnessed the adoption of the 19th Amendment, which allowed women the right to vote in 1920. Less than 50 years ago, our nation was requiring polling and literacy taxes in an effort to exclude Americans from voting. In 1964, the United States terminated the polling tax, and, in 1965, enacted the Voting Rights Act to provide access to the polls for every American regardless of race or color.
As our country and state have grown, so too has our ability to expand voting access. Creating additional access to the polls has enriched our country and brought the Bill of Rights promise of life, liberty and property to many Americans. It’s only natural that states attempt to make the electoral process more inclusive. In 2003, registration by mail and early voting were instituted in New Mexico and, as a result, the process has increased the numbers of New Mexicans who are not only registered to vote, but who actually do vote.
Same-day registration is another tool in expanding voter participation. It allows eligible and qualified voters to register to vote on Election Day statewide at every polling location. It has been successfully enacted in nine states — Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
I introduced House Bill 395 this legislative session to implement same-day voter registration in New Mexico. Research shows that voter participation would increase in New Mexico by 5.6 percent, mainly with younger voters and working New Mexicans. That’s good news. By making it easier for New Mexicans to vote, we allow for everyone’s voice to be heard.
Photo ID would be required
Unfortunately, the same thinking that opposed access to voting throughout our country’s history is again opposing this effort. Some now claim, as they have in the past, that advances in providing access to working men and women to vote will lead to voter fraud. Factually, this simply isn’t the case. Recent studies of 12 states have shown that the incidence of voter fraud is low.
That being said, this doesn’t preclude the need for continued vigilance in protecting the integrity of elections. My bill provides additional mechanisms to prevent fraud by making voters show a photo ID at time of registration. By enacting same-day registration, we prevent further “gaming” of the electoral system that now occurs with registration at shopping centers, markets and by national organizations intending to influence election outcomes.
Our founding fathers created a system of government that enacted change slowly and incrementally. The legislative process provides an avenue to improve upon existing laws and serve the best interests of our citizens. Same-day voter registration is one more step in creating an inclusive government.
With history as our guide, the fight will be well worth it — a truly open government representing each and everyone one of us.
Cervantes is a Democratic House member from Las Cruces.