To: The Delaware State House and The Delaware State Senate
Tell Delaware Legislators to Stand Up for Democracy and Vote YES for Same Day Voter Registration ...
At a time when other states are threatening our democracy with harsh voting restrictions, Delaware has an opportunity to serve as a model for strengthening voting rights and our democracy. Stand up for an inclusive democracy and pass Same Day Voter Registration for ALL elections in Delaware.
Why is this important?
America’s elections are broken. Not only do people with the most money fund our system, but also the election process itself systematically raises barriers to participation. People of color, young people, and college students are less likely to be registered and therefore less likely to vote. That’s true here in Delaware just as it is in Georgia, Ohio, and North Carolina where burdensome ideological-driven restrictions are being implemented to prevent more people from voting. And the result is that our democratic system is more accountable to people with money than it is to the rest of us.
Since last year, I’ve been working with a diverse and powerful coalition of community organizations, faith leaders, civil rights organizations, labor, and advocates in pushing for House Bill 105, Same Day Voter Registration (SDR) in Delaware. The key to taking back our system is to ensure that as many eligible voters as possible can access the polls. And one of the best ways to do that is through Same Day Registration. Same Day Registration allows individuals to register to vote and cast their ballot on the same day.
Same Day Registration is one the most effective ways to increase participation in our democracy. States that allow SDR consistently lead the nation in voter turnout, which on average is between 10 and 12 percentage points higher than in non SDR states. The top five states in voter turnout during the 2012 General Election are ALL SDR states. Delaware ranked well below these top-performers.
House Bill 105 can increase voter participation in Delaware, both overall and especially amongst voters of color, young voters, and voters who move either into or within the state and need to re register.
Despite the obvious democratic benefits that Same Day Registration could bring to Delaware, a few self-interested politicians are pushing for an amendment that would exempt primaries from SDR implementation. In a state where 84% of primary winners go on to win the general election, such an amendment guts the bill of any true effectiveness. Instead of serving as a leader and champion on voting rights, Delaware stands in danger of setting an awful precedent that establishes a two-tier electoral system.
Stand against selective democracy. Support this petition. Tell the Delaware Legislature that you support Same Day Registration for ALL elections.
--Apryl Walker
State Campaign Director
Delaware Alliance for Community Advancement (DACA)
Since last year, I’ve been working with a diverse and powerful coalition of community organizations, faith leaders, civil rights organizations, labor, and advocates in pushing for House Bill 105, Same Day Voter Registration (SDR) in Delaware. The key to taking back our system is to ensure that as many eligible voters as possible can access the polls. And one of the best ways to do that is through Same Day Registration. Same Day Registration allows individuals to register to vote and cast their ballot on the same day.
Same Day Registration is one the most effective ways to increase participation in our democracy. States that allow SDR consistently lead the nation in voter turnout, which on average is between 10 and 12 percentage points higher than in non SDR states. The top five states in voter turnout during the 2012 General Election are ALL SDR states. Delaware ranked well below these top-performers.
House Bill 105 can increase voter participation in Delaware, both overall and especially amongst voters of color, young voters, and voters who move either into or within the state and need to re register.
Despite the obvious democratic benefits that Same Day Registration could bring to Delaware, a few self-interested politicians are pushing for an amendment that would exempt primaries from SDR implementation. In a state where 84% of primary winners go on to win the general election, such an amendment guts the bill of any true effectiveness. Instead of serving as a leader and champion on voting rights, Delaware stands in danger of setting an awful precedent that establishes a two-tier electoral system.
Stand against selective democracy. Support this petition. Tell the Delaware Legislature that you support Same Day Registration for ALL elections.
--Apryl Walker
State Campaign Director
Delaware Alliance for Community Advancement (DACA)