Teen voter preregistration among R.I. governor's vetoes
12:20 PM Fri, Jul 10, 2009 | Permalink
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By Cynthia Needham Governor Carcieri has vetoed several more bills including those that would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to preregister to vote. This is the fourth year running that the legislature has passed preregistration legislation and also the fourth time that Carcieri has vetoed the measure arguing that "current law has served this state well" in allowing Rhode Islanders younger than 18 to register to vote as long as they will be eligible by the date of the next election. "If this legislation were to become law, the state would be forced to prematurely add thousands of names -- all people ineligible to vote -- to the voter rolls," Carcieri said in his veto message. "This strikes me as both counter-intuitive and counter-productive, especially considering the fact that the state spent time and money to clean up the voter lists and create a statewide central voter registry." Also on the list of bills the governor vetoed last night is one that would exempt funeral home directors and embalmers over the age of 65 from continuing education requirements. "I appreciate the wisdom that comes with age and experience," he said in that veto message. "However, funeral directors and embalmers, like other health professionals regulated by the state, must maintain and improve their professional skills for as long as they are actively practicing to ensure the safety and well-being of the people they serve." Both the House and the Senate are expected to return this summer to wrap up their sessions, but it is unclear what, if any, vetoes they will override. Correction: An earlier version of this post incorrectly stated the number of times the preregistration legislation has been passed by the General Assembly and vetoed by the governor. 
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I agree with Governor Carcieri's veto of both bills and his reasons for doing so.
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Is this really what the legislature is spending its time and our money on!? GIVE ME A BREAK!
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This is simply a move by Democrats to get more names on the polls that they can use to stuff the ballot boxes with their playmates from ACORN. This is quite transparent (if you have an IQ). It's similar to "motor voter" legislation that made it possible for illegal aliens to register to vote as they registered their cars, once again, totally transparent.
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Enough with the pretext, make a law to pre register at birth. If the democrats wanted it, they'll get it.
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Why would anyone have a problem with this if it promotes legal voting? Carcy and the rest of you people are ridiculous. You're just scared of what young people would do. Unfortunately for you, they have the legal right to vote and should be allowed to exercise this right lawfully.
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Helena, at what age do people have the right to vote? Age 18. The law already permits a person to register when they are 17 so long as they are 18 on election day. I registered to vote at 17 because I was 18 by election day, and I showed up to vote at 18. How are we rediculous to oppose a law that would allow 16 and 17 year olds to pre-register? You clearly misunderstand when you say "Unforturnately for you, they have the legal right to vote and should be allowed to exercise this right lawfully." We are not taking away anyone's right to vote. They can register at 17 now so long as they are 18 on election day. Do you understand that?
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Anything that encourages young people to vote is a good idea to me. This veto is ridiculous. I know Mr Carcieri is only interested in old white republicans, but the rest of us want to make sure that every voice is heard.
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