We need more people to vote, to get better politicians. Before people vote, they need to be registered to vote. How does that happen?
For many, they’ll find a website and register online. But for people that do not have regular internet access, or who are just not used to voting, registration happens through deputy voter registrars. They’re the people pestering you to register at music festivals, art fairs, and other civic gatherings. Who are these jerks? And what are they doing? And why are they doing it?
The following is from my experience registering voters in Texas. Your state and county laws and registration practices may be a little different.
A voter registrar is the government official responsible for registering voters in a county.
A deputy voter registrar is a volunteer who has been sworn in to support the voter registration effort. The duties of a deputy voter registrar are to:
- Voter registration:
- Help citizens fill out voter registration forms.
- Collect the forms and turn them into the county promptly. (Voter registration is non-partisan, all registrations are turned in.)
- Give newly registered voters a receipt of registration, to use at the polls as a backup. (Or otherwise record the registrations.)
- Outreach:
- Educate voters about election dates and deadlines (early voting, etc.)
- Show the community that the county supports their right to vote.
I’m a middling deputy voter registrar. I’ve skipped some elections. And only registered a few in other cycles. But every time I’ve gone out to register voters it’s been time well spent.
What I’ve learned as a deputy voter registrar:
- It helps to go out with others, especially at the start. You can learn from each other, and double-check the registrations to make sure they’re complete.
- You can register voters in multiple counties (at least in TX). You just need to be deputized in each county. Check with the county voter registrar to get per-county details.
- In TX at least, voters can register their spouses. Parents can register children. And children can register parents. Who knew?
- The only people that can’t register are non-citizens. And, in TX, convicted felons still “on paper.” (Other states may have different felon voting laws).
- I’ve never had a non-citizen try to register to vote.
- Registering a previously convicted felon rocks.
- Knowing the term “off paper” can be a fun party trick. (How do you know what that means?)
- When going door-to-door passing out voter registration cards, curmudgeons often turn friendly and appreciative once they learn you’re not passing out pizza discount flyers.
- People are amazing. Like the folks in the food pantry line that were not only (almost) all registered to vote, but who had stronger stomachs than I and actually watched the Sunday morning political TV shows. Being humbled ain’t a bad way to spend a morning.
- Voter ID laws are a crock. Take a disabled vet without current ID, and getting a valid voter ID can become a full-time job. “It shouldn’t be that hard.” Well, yeah, but it is.
So, how do you become a deputy voter registrar?
- Contact your county government. The county probably has regular trainings/deputizations.
- Through your favorite political group.
Here in central TX, once you’re deputized the county will let you know about registration opportunities. And there are plenty of political groups that also organize registration events.
The only issue is that time’s a wastin’. The TX voter registration deadline for the 2016 fall election is October 11th. Which only leaves a few months for registration and outreach.
So, who wants to be a deputy?
Thursday, Jul 7, 2016 · 10:30:48 PM +00:00
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The Janitor
Note: deputy voter registrar or just deputy registrar are the general terms.
From Sandia Blanca: One point: the proper abbreviation, at least here in Travis County, is VDR, which stands for Volunteer Deputy Registrar.
From SF Atty: In New Mexico we’re called “3rd Party Voter Registration Agents” and we can register any New Mexico resident…
In other states (TN, CA) you don’t need to be deputized (their loss :-).