Sec'y of State Jim Condos Supports National Resolutions on Voter Registration

Montpelier, VT - Secretary of State Jim Condos announces that at the National Secretaries of State (NASS) 95th Annual Summer Conference (which focuses on policy issues and programs of mutual interest to members), two resolutions were passed with respect to voter registration - an issue that is of the utmost importance at all times, but especially during an election year.

The first resolution, "A Call for Federal Agency Assistance in Maintaining Accurate and Comprehensive State Voter Registration Lists" points out that the "National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) require most states to affirmatively register to vote those citizens who interact with state agencies, keep voter registration lists accurate and current, and require the creation of list maintenance programs." It continues on to cite other related reasons for the resolution, including that several federal agencies maintain data that could be useful for the maintenance of voter rolls. The resolution concludes that two positive outcomes would come from this resolution:

1) access to this federal data could assist states in determining which individuals are eligible to vote under state and federal law, and

2) to help insure that all those who are eligible to vote, are actually registered to vote.

The second resolution passed, "Establishes September 25th, 2012 as National Voter Registration Day." Secretary Condos says that choosing one particular day allows us to focus a coordinated, statewide effort to encourage voter registration and increase access to our elections.

Secretary Condos states, "as a member of NASS's Elections, and Voter Participation Committees, I wholeheartedly support and endorse both of these resolutions, and in particular, the establishment of a National Voter Registration Day for 2012. I will work with partners around the state, such as the League of Women Voters and other civic minded organizations, to promote and lead efforts to encourage voter registration and increase access to elections."

You may view the two resolutions here:
NASS Resolution Calling for Federal Assistance in Maintaining Voter Registration Lists
http://www.nass.org/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=1309&itemid= <

and here:
NASS Resolution Establishing September 25th, 2012 as National Voter Registration Day
http://www.nass.org/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=1310&itemid=

Jim Condos is Vermont's Secretary of State.