Yee’s online voter reg bill to increase democracy

Published on September 29th 2011
State Senator Leland Yee (right) at his Sept. 28 press conference urging Gov. Brown to sign his new online voter registration bill.
State Senator Leland Yee (right) at his Sept. 28 press conference urging Gov. Brown to sign his new online voter registration bill.

While Republican-controlled states across the country are passing new laws to make voting less accessible to people of color, seniors and students, State Senator and SEIU 1021-endorsed Mayoral candidate Leland Yee has authored a bill establishing easy, secure and efficient online voter registration.

“In the 21st century, especially here in California, it is long overdue to have online voter registration,” Yee said in a press release. “SB 397 (his legislation) will not only help protect the integrity of the vote, but will allow many more individuals the opportunity to register and participate in our democracy.”

Yee contends his system would be more accurate and cost effective. Having citizens enter their own information would not only eliminate errors such as misspelled names, it would save time and money on data entry by election clerks. Yee said online registration would bring more people into the process and make government more vibrant, something more important than ever with the Presidential election coming up.

Yee’s bill is supported by SEIU 1021, Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, Californians for Electoral Reform and the University of California Students Association.

SB 397 has passed both houses of the California legislature, and Governor Brown has until Oct. 9 to sign or veto it.