Countywide : Group Backs Voter Registration Plan

The League of Women Voters of Ventura County Monday backed a proposed law that would allow people to register to vote when they apply for or renew their driver’s licenses.

The so-called “motor-voter” bill passed in the House of Representatives on Friday and will now move to the Senate.

“This is to simplify the process for the voters,” said chapter President Katie St. Clair Fellows. “It’s a good bill.”

Fellows rejected criticisms that such a law would encourage voter fraud--particularly on the part of illegal immigrants--by making the registration process easier.

“I really don’t understand what the allegations of fraud are about,” she said. “Personally, I would think it would be a little harder to stand in front of someone at the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) and swear you were a citizen than it would be to just send in a card.”

Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley) voted against the bill last week, saying it would allow illegal immigrants to fraudulently register to vote and then use voter registration cards to qualify for welfare benefits.

“This is one of the highest priorities of the League of Women Voters, whose interest is in citizen participation in government and voters’ rights,” Fellows said. “We’ve never supported voter fraud or welfare fraud that I know of.”

Gallegly on Monday renewed his criticism of a law he said was unnecessary and potentially detrimental.

“If you don’t have the initiative to put your name on a voter registration form and drop it in a mailbox, then I don’t think you’re going to have enough interest to make an intelligent choice,” Gallegly said.