No doubt all those folks who are so worried about voter fraud (that they never bother to document) will be quick to support same-day registration

“For over 33 years, Minnesota’s same-day registration law has helped produce the highest voter turnout of any state. Same-day registration works, it encourages people to be engaged and interested in the issues facing our country--this bill gives a voice to every American who wants to vote.”
--Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar

Yesterday our constitutional maven Jon Dodson did his level best to find some way, any way, in which the Supreme Court's recent decision upholding the Indiana law requiring photo ID for voting makes a lick of sense, and came up empty. Setting aside the constitutional arguments (which increasingly seems to be how the Roberts Court works), the practical rationale is supposed to be to prevent "voter fraud," except that no one seems to have any evidence of this fraud actually occurring. It seems only too clear that what the proponents of these laws are actually trying to prevent is voting--that is to say, voting by groups of people who are likely to vote against right-wing interests.

Now three of our favorite U.S. legislators--Senators Russ Feingold of Wisconsin and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison--have proposed federalizing a solution that, as Senator Klobuchar argues above, has been a resounding success in her home state: same-day registration. According to a press release from Senator Feingold's office:

The Election Day Registration Act addresses chronic problems with the American electoral process--low voter turnout and archaic voter registration laws. Election Day registration is also seen as preferable to advance registration since voters are actually present when they register, reducing opportunities for fraud. The bill’s introduction comes days after the Supreme Court upheld an Indiana voter ID law that seriously impedes the ability of elderly and low-income Americans to vote. Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Jon Tester (D-MT), who represent states that recently enacted Election Day registration, are also cosponsors of the bill.

“The right to vote is at the heart of our democracy, and we should constantly be looking for ways to make it easier for Americans to exercise that right,” Feingold said. “Election Day registration has worked well in Wisconsin for more than 30 years and is a major reason why Wisconsin is a national leader in voter turnout. By allowing people to register in person on Election Day, we can bring more people into the process, which only strengthens our democracy.”

On the voter-fraud question, the press release notes:

Allowing Election Day registration can also address concerns about potential voter fraud. Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie has called Election Day registration a “no brainer” and has said it is more secure than advance registration because “you have the person right in front of you--not a postcard in the mail.”