DEMOCRACY WATCH : Now Let’s Get Going

Gov. Pete Wilson’s lawsuit blocking implementation of “Motor Voter,” the National Voter Registration Act, was rejected earlier this month in federal district court.

The governor had argued that the law usurped powers reserved to the states by the 10th Amendment to the Constitution. However, Article I, Section 4 of the Constitution gives the federal government an enumerated right to regulate voter registration. In resolving the conflict and rejecting Wilson’s claim, U.S. District Judge James Ware quoted the crystal-clear language of a 1963 decision: “Nothing in the language or history of the 10th Amendment gives the state the exclusive sovereignty over the election processes against the federal government’s otherwise constitutional exercise of a power within the scope of Article I, Section 4. . . . In Justice Holmes’ phrase, this ‘is not a controversy between equals.’ It is necessary at this time to say again, and underscore it, that within the area of delegated power, express or implied, the 10th Amendment does not reduce the powers of the United States. “

Wilson claims that “Motor Voter” will cost California $20 million. Others claim as little as $5 million. In our judgment, money spent to preserve and extend democracy at home is money well spent. “Motor Voter” has added 100,000 new voters to the rolls in Florida, 50,000 in Georgia, 39,000 in New York.

The court ruling made one thing clear: In this case, Washington has not exceeded its authority. It is time for Gov. Wilson to stop obstructing this law and start implementing it.