registering to vote

[quilting101]

can my American quilty friends answer a question about voting. I know you have to register to vote in your elections but do you have to register every 4 years or once you have registered you do so for life
Just curios Jenny in Oz

[sandytn]

In Tennesse, if I register to vote when I am 18 and never move out of the county I registered in and vote on a regular basis, I am registered for life but these days not to many people do that.

In Tennessee I am registered to vote in a certain district in Loudon County, Tennessee. If I move to another district within Loudon County I notify the election commission at least 5 days before election day and they move my registration record to my new district. If I don't notify them in time, I can still vote in early election.

If I move to a different county in Tennessee I have to register to vote in that county. Same if I move to another state. I have to register to vote in that state.

Registering to vote and voting is a very easy process and there is no excuse not to vote.

[sandytn]

I have never heard of registering every 4 years. I always thought once registered that was it unless you moved, like stated before. Be interested to hear if it is different state to state. Cheryl

[sandytn]

Jennie my BIL is from Oz and I think most Americans would be shocked at the Australian law that FINES citizens if they don't vote! We could learn a lot...

Florence

[sandytn]

Registering to vote is a simple process and once registered you continue to be registered as long as you don't move or get convicted of a felony. If you move to another state, for example, and submit a registration card, you must make certain that you receive a registration certificate--otherwise, you must check with the Assessor's Office immediately to determine if they need to restart the process. If you fail to complete the registration card completely, including the check box stating whether or not you have a driver's license, your registration may be rejected and you may not be notified.

Also, I heard a rumor that in some states people who lived in homes recently foreclosed are being automatically dropped from the voter registration rolls. If true, I suppose the state assumes that the residents at the foreclosed address had to move. So one has to be sure to submit a change of address form, if they have recently moved.

I think the loss of having your vote count is penalty enough for not informing yourself of the issues and getting out to vote.

Nancy

[quilting101]

Thank you all so much for your informative answers. Yes Florence we do get a small fine because it is compulsory to vote here in Oz, I think it may have to do with the small population we have. we too have to up[date our details if we move from 1 electoral region to another. what percentage of Americans vote I have heard it is not a large amount.
Thank you all again i love these conversations where we learn about each other.
Jenny in Oz

[sandytn]

According to a U.S. Census stats for the 2000 Presidental Election 70% of citizens who could registered were registered to vote. 60% of eligible voters voted.

[ljkn52]

In California if you miss a Presidential election, you are no longer registered to vote. You would have to re-register in order to vote in any further elections. At least that is how it was when I lived in California. Every time I move to another state, I must register in order to be able to vote in any local, state or federal elections.

[Judymc]

Keeping addresses accurate helps prevents voter fraud. You are only supposed to vote in the precinct where you live. There's always several weeks before an election to change an address. A person can also vote with a provisional ballot if their name is not on the books at a precinct. This ballot will be counted after the information is investigated and the person does live in the precinct and is registered to vote. Several years ago, a man got on TV and bragged about voting twice (in California, Los Angeles area). Thanks to the wisdom of our Founding Fathers, we have the Electoral College, too!!! If there is a tie in the Electoral College, Congress makes the decision. Hopefully, that will never happen! Jenny, I didn't know there was a fine for not voting in Austrailia. Maybe that's the way we could balance the budget in America! :lol: It's such a priviledge to vote and it's a shame more people don't take that priviledge seriously.

[quilting101]

Judy
I don't think the budget could be balanced with the fines, It used to be 2 dollars and i think a few years ago it was upped to 50 dollars. it certainly is a privilege to vote. 60% is more than i thought voted in presidential elections
Jenny in Oz

[sandytn]

That's 60% of the 70% of registered voters. It's too early for math but if my calculations are correct only about 42% of the total population eligible to register to vote actually vote. 30% don't even bother to register. That's a shame.

[sandytn]

It is a big shame. Then I guess they have no room to complain about how things are going. That percentage is probably the loudest yelling. My son turns 18 in April and I will take him down to the town hall and sign him up. Kind of like a birthday present. When he was old enoght to drive we went to the DMV. Cheryl

[sandytn]

Cheryl my twin boys turn 18 in March so that's on our plan too, but don't forget to go to the Post Office to register for the draft hopefully my boys will USE their voting registration & never need to be drafted...
Florence

[gran5]

My grandson turns 18 this month. His mom has never been interested in voting (to my dismay), but I will see that he registers to vote. Is there a requirement that a young man has to sign up for the draft?

[gran5]

In Norway we get our voting card automaticly when we turn 18 We dont have to apply for anything, it our right as citizens of Norway. Between 70-80 % of all people over 18 are likely to vote in Norway
And, we have a pluralistic political system....means we have 11 different parties to vote for.

Wich you the best of luck on election day.and remember you are not only voting for yourself but the entire world :shock: