The State - News from June 2, 1987

The Assembly narrowly defeated legislation that would have allowed Californians to vote on Election Day without registering in advance. The bill, by Assemblyman Pete Chacon (D-San Diego), would have permitted unregistered voters to cast ballots in statewide elections after showing identification, being identified by another registered voter in their precinct or signing a statement swearing that they are a resident of the precinct. The bill was defeated on a 38-37 vote, three short of the 41 needed for passage. But Chacon, who said his measure would end an “elitist” system of requiring people to register to vote at least 28 days before an election, was given permission to have it reconsidered later this week.