Monday, Oct. 15, 2018 | 2 a.m.
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In a little more than three weeks, Nevadans will decide whether the state should join several others that have adopted automatic voter registrations for people doing business at the Department of Motor Vehicles.
If the so-called Motor Voter ballot question passes, Nevadans who seek a driver’s license or identification card, or request an address change, will be registered to vote unless they opt out. Some form of the initiative has been instituted in 13 states and the District of Columbia.
As the vote nears, Nevadans may hear handwringing concerns from opponents of the measure that it will lead to registration of noncitizens, who are ineligible to vote.
It will not do this. Period. In fact, the measure significantly strengthens controls against noncitizens registering to vote.
The fear mongers allege that since Nevada law allows people to use a green card as their primary form of ID when applying for a license at the DMV, noncitizens will be registered to vote.
However, in Nevada, as in other states that have instituted this change, protections will be in place to avoid triggering voter registration for noncitizens.
We urge Nevadans to be skeptical about overwrought claims that Motor Voter would be a threat to the integrity of the state’s elections.
For voters who are still deciding whether to support the measure, we’d offer several critical facts about the initiative:
• It will not automatically lead to noncitizens being added to the voter rolls. The measure doesn’t change eligibility requirements for voting, nor will it change the way registrations are verified by county and state officials. Instead, it adds a layer of verification to the current system, with trained DMV staff being responsible for reviewing qualifications. Finally, registrations will continue to require a signature attesting that the registrant meets eligibility requirements.
• Green-card holders who apply for driver’s licenses and ID cards will not automatically be added to the rolls. Under Motor Voter, registrations would be fed into an automated system designed to filter out any ineligible voters. The system would only send registrations for eligible voters to the secretary of state’s office, which is responsible for maintaining the rolls and would once again check the information for accuracy.
• Motor Voter does not deny anyone the choice to register or not, including green-card holders. As is the case today, Nevadans would be able to decide whether to register. The difference is that registration would change from an opt-in system to an opt-out system, meaning the registrant would be registered unless he or she specifically declined to do so.
• It’s also critical to note that the DMV requires all of the following documents for anyone seeking a new driver’s license or state-issued ID in Nevada: proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, proof of a residential address in Nevada and, if applicable, proof of a name change. Documents for proof of identity include a birth certificate, a passport, or a driver’s license, instruction permit or ID card from another state. For foreign-born applicants, acceptable documents include certificates of naturalization or citizenship.
Will the system ensure that ineligible voters won’t cast ballots? No. It won’t stop someone from falsifying his or her identity at the polls, for example. But let’s remember that voting unlawfully is a felony, which a significant deterrent.
But we’d urge Nevadans to be skeptical over concerns that Motor Voter would be a threat to the integrity of the state’s elections.
First, it not only establishes a new layer of verification, but ensures that the individuals who are registering voters are trained and familiar with voting laws. That’s not the case today, as anyone can go out and register voters — including untrained volunteers who may provide false information to registrants.
Second, it creates new safeguards to keep noncitizens from registering.
Third, by replacing written applications with electronic registration, it helps ensure that accurate information is being relayed to election officials.
It’s important to note this: No serious study, including President Donald Trump’s very own examination of the 2016 election, has found any meaningful examples of noncitizens voting. Ponder that — Trump formed an entire commission specifically tasked with finding noncitizens voting, and it came up empty.
The notion that noncitizens pack the voter rolls is nonsense. And even if you’re worried about that, this measure would strengthen controls to ensure only citizens vote even while making registration easier. It’s a solid win-win
We’ll present much more information about the initiative between now and the election, including our position on the issue. Meantime, we hope the information above is helpful to voters who are educating themselves about the issue.
For the full text of the ballot question, along with arguments for and against the measure, visit here.
