CWA: The Automatic Voter Registration Act a Good Step toward Universal Voter Registration

Washington, D.C. – Following is a statement by the Communications Workers of America on legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to institute national automatic voter registration.

CWA is pleased that automatic voter registration legislation has been introduced in the House and Senate. This is an important step forward to ensure that all Americans are able to exercise their right to vote, and to reclaim our nation’s democracy for all.

The measure would require states to automatically register people eligible to vote when they interact with certain state and federal agencies, unless those people decline. That means getting a driver’s license, registering for class or working with other agencies would enable those citizens to more easily register to vote. The legislation also takes steps to streamline the voter registration process, providing for portability and online registration.

CWA President Chris Shelton called “the Automatic Voter Registration Act” a good first step toward bringing about universal voter registration, something many democracies already engage in by registering new voters at birth.

“Casting a vote on Election Day is a right of citizenship. Unfortunately, too many voters today are frustrated by an unwieldy and often inaccessible registration process. Our goal must be to encourage broad voter participation and modernize this process,” he said.

CWA commends House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Representative Robert Brady (D-Pa.), Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and all the supporters of this legislation. CWA is a strong advocate of modernizing and expanding the right to vote, along with other measures to help restore democracy for all.

Press Contact: Amy Fetherolf(202) 434-1168afetherolf@cwa-union.org Candice Johnson(202) 434-1168cjohnson@cwa-union.org