Reid urges registration law change

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2005 | 9:39 a.m.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he is urging the Legislature to change the voter registration deadline to sign up more people closer to election day.

Reid called the current law "the most antiquated voter registration system" in a state with explosive growth and people who frequently move from home to home.

Nevada law currently sets a cutoff for registration a month before elections.

Reid said that if he could get lawmakers to slash the deadline in half to two weeks it would be an accomplishment.

"He will call on the Legislature to change the cutoff date," Reid spokeswoman Tessa Hafen said. "The senator thinks it is a very progressive idea."

Reid appeared on Tuesday's edition of "Face to Face with Jon Ralston" airing on Cox Cable Channel 19.

The idea of changing the registration deadline is not a new idea for Reid.

Reid has supported for years allowing voters to register up to election day along with Secretary of State Dean Heller.

The same-day registration is in use in Minnesota, Maine, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Wyoming and Idaho and has been shown in studies to increase voter turnout.

County registrars oppose the idea, fearing it would cause more voter fraud.

Same-day registration could also cost the state millions of dollars to hire staff members and confirm personal information quickly before people can cast ballots.

Sen. Barbara Cegavske, R-Las Vegas, who chairs the newly reorganized Legislative Operations and Elections Committee, and Sen. Dennis Nolan, R-Las Vegas, have already introduced bills to reform the state's initiative and referendum laws.

Andres Ramirez, former state director for Voices for Working Families, said that Reid's idea is excellent.

"I think same-day registration would be a great benefit to voters in Nevada," Ramirez said.