Thinking bigger about voter registration

We got an interesting email from a reader. He points out that in some countries, the government registers people to vote automatically. Why not here?

It is certainly the case that if the government WANTS you to register for something, it does it: think about the draft, or Social Security.

Step back and look at the whole issue in the context of our nation's history. Voter registration itself is really a legacy of the desire to PREVENT people people from voting. You had voter registration so that people who could not vote---and that has meant just about everybody except white men with property at some point in time over our history---would be kept from doing so.

Think about. Voter registration is designed to keep people from voting, not to empower them to vote.

Do you agree?

* * * * * *

Hi -

You guys have such a great organization and such a
wonderful program going. I'm glad someone is doing
this. It's awesome. Oh, and I particularly approve of
the idea of partnering with Ben and Jerry's. That was
cool.

So my question is this...
Are you guys lobbying Congress for any kinds of
reforms?

You know, in almost every other country people are
automatically registered to vote when they reach legal
age. Some countries even require their citizens to
vote (not that it's such a wonderful idea). So why
can't we do something like this in the United States?
Your organization has the peopole power and the
knowledge; it seems like lobbying Congress for such a
law would be one of your projects.

Just a thought.
- IK (name withheld by RTV)