The League of Women Voters of California is pleased that Secretary of State Alex Padilla is looking at new models of voter registration, spurred on by last week’s passage of an Oregon law establishing a new process for voter registration through that state’s department of motor vehicles. In a statement today, the Secretary commits to registering as many California citizens as possible.

The League is dedicated to encouraging all Californians to participate in our democracy. An essential part of that goal is eliminating hurdles that keep any eligible Californians from registering and voting.

“As Secretary Padilla explores ways to make voter registration a simple, automated process, we look forward to helping work out the details,” said Helen Hutchison, president of the League of Women Voters of California. This kind of automated approach needs careful consideration at each step so that people who do not wish to register or are ineligible under federal law are protected.

California has one of the lowest rates of voter registration and voter participation in the country, and it is lowest among citizens of color. The League is helping to remedy that dismal record by seeing that the promise of the National Voter Registration Act is fulfilled. We’ve worked with Covered California to ensure that, as the law requires, every citizen who applies for health benefits is offered the opportunity to register to vote. Last month we joined in a letter challenging the Secretary of State and the DMV to make “Motor Voter” NVRA registration at the DMV as easy and accessible as it should be.

“Bringing as many eligible Californians into our election process as possible has great rewards for our democracy,” continued Hutchison, “We are committed to supporting this shared vision and improving participation in civic life.”

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Subject

Voting rights, Voter Registration

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