Pennsylvania to Automatically Register Voters as Part of Driver’s License Process for 2024 Presidential Election
Pennsylvania, a critical battleground state in the upcoming 2024 presidential election, has announced a new program to automatically register voters as part of the driver’s license and state ID approval process. Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, made the announcement on Tuesday, revealing that Pennsylvania will join 23 other states and the District of Columbia in implementing this initiative.
The move towards automatic voter registration aims to streamline the process and improve election security while saving both time and tax dollars. Under the program, eligible voters must meet certain requirements, including being a U.S. citizen, a Pennsylvania resident for at least 30 days before an election, and at least 18 years old on the date of the next election. All the necessary information required for voter registration is already provided by residents when obtaining a driver’s license or state ID.
Pennsylvania’s decision to adopt automatic voter registration comes in the wake of the state being embroiled in controversy over voter fraud allegations during the 2020 election and the subsequent midterm races. Former President Donald J. Trump and his allies perpetuated false claims about voter fraud in Pennsylvania, which prompted unsuccessful legal challenges from Republicans regarding voter eligibility and absentee ballots.
While voting rights groups have praised Pennsylvania’s efforts to expand access to the polls, Trump loyalists have criticized and sought to sow further distrust about voting integrity in the state. Stephen Miller, a top White House adviser to Trump, took to social media to assert that there would be no citizenship verification in the automatic voter registration process.
The implementation of automatic voter registration in Pennsylvania coincides with the increasing attention from both Republicans and Democrats on the state in anticipation of the 2024 races. Pennsylvania, being President Biden’s birthplace, not only holds the potential to decide whether he secures a second term but also plays a critical role in determining the balance of power in the closely divided Senate. Democratic Senator Bob Casey, currently serving his third term, faces a significant re-election test.
As the countdown to the 2024 election begins, Pennsylvania’s move towards automatic voter registration is expected to enhance voter participation, streamline the registration process, and strengthen election integrity in the state.
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If you would like to access the article Stephen Miller referred to, please click here:
[Link to Stephen Miller’s tweet about no citizenship verification](https://twitter.com/StephenM/status/1704105805681770656)