This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Same-day voter registration is an effective way to encourage participation in our democracy. Unfortunately, this isn't an option in Utah. HB91, sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Chavez-Houck, D-Salt Lake City, seeks to remedy this shortcoming.
This proposal isn't unique to Utah. Ten other states and the District of Columbia currently offer some form of same-day registration, and two more states enacted SDR in 2012. Legislation allowing SDR is pending in 14 other states.
The most important thing to be gained from same-day registration is increased voter turnout, something greatly needed in Utah, where only 57 percent of eligible voters cast ballots in 2012. Utterly disgraceful!
HB91 is a cost-effective, pragmatic bill. The Utah Legislature would be well-advised to pass it.
Ryan Curtis
Salt Lake City