Voter Registration Modernization Act

Floor Speech

Mr. BOOKER. Mr. President, I am proud to join Senator Gillibrand in support of the introduction of the Voter Registration Modernization Act of 2015. This bill would improve the fabric of our democracy and bring our election procedures into the 21st century by eradicating barriers to voter registration and expanding access to the franchise for millions of voters who were previously unregistered to vote. I thank Senator Gillibrand for her leadership on this issue.

The right to vote is the bedrock of our democracy. In our representative form of government, the right to participate in the democratic process is fundamental to who we are and what we believe. That is, our belief in being a nation grounded in the idea of equal justice under law. Voting is a fundamental right because it is preservative of all other rights. Without access to the ballot, our civil rights and freedoms of religion, speech, and press could be eroded and our faith that those rights will be fully protected lost.

In 2012, our Nation witnessed cracks in the foundation of our democracy. Millions of people watched television coverage of our presidential election in disgust as voters stood in lines for hours, mainly due to problems with the paper-based voter registration system. No American in the 21st century should have to use paper ballots or stand in lines for hours in order to exercise their fundamental right to vote. The President's bipartisan commission to improve the election process concluded that no voter should have to wait more than 30 minutes to vote. We should be making voting easier, not harder. We can begin that process by ensuring that States modernize their voter registration process and give citizens the choice to register to vote online.

When the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 was passed two decades ago, the revolution in data sharing and integration was just beginning. It is time to incorporate the commonplace experience of online transactions into the election process. By implementing online voter registration, the Voter Registration Modernization Act addresses a key problem with paper-based systems--the inaccurate transfer of information to election authorities. This bill would ensure that voters' votes count and help election authorities who rely on accurate voter registration lists to better detect problems.

Currently, 20 States have online voter registration systems. One of the greatest benefits we have seen so far is the saving of taxpayers' money. Arizona, for example, which launched the Nation's first online voter registration system, saved its taxpayers almost $1.4 million. Kansas noted no expenses at all. It is now time for the Federal Government to follow their lead and adopt these common-sense, cost cutting reforms.

The Voter Registration Modernization Act amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to provide for online voter registration systems. It provides funding for States to implement the bill and directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to conduct an ongoing study on best practices for Internet registration. With passage of this bill, States are required to adopt pro-technology measures, including taking steps to ensure the online availability of voter registration forms, provide online assistance, and allow voters to update registration information online.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said ``The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.'' But that arc does not bend towards justice without effort. We must put in the necessary hard work--and build the foundation and infrastructure--for justice to prevail. We can improve the health of our democracy by supporting this critical legislation, which would expand the ballot and update our voting technology. I urge all Senators to support the Voter Registration Modernization Act of 2015.

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