Early Voting Bills Create Unfunded Mandates
“The Assembly Majority passed early voting measures today that, if signed into law, would largely result in unfunded mandates, confusion, and would change our current system when it does not need to be changed. I voted against these measures. We place enough unfunded mandates on our localities.
In addition, Election Day is always the first Tuesday in November. Stretching this day into weeks and offering same-day registration would not only cost more money but it would make the systems that are already in place vulnerable to voter fraud. We have an absentee ballot system that offers people a chance to vote if they anticipate having trouble getting to the polls on Election Day. In my mind, it is part of our duty as citizens to vote on Election Day or obtain an absentee ballot.Â
Elections are fluid by nature and a lot can happen in the days leading up to the election. If the voter has a change of heart after they voted early for a certain candidate, there is no way to change their vote back. If the end goal is to improve voter turnout, I have yet to see evidence that proves these early voting measures will do so. People who are going to vote already largely do.”