Starting next year, Iowans who have a driver’s license or other state-issued identification will be able to register to vote online. From a press release the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office sent out this afternoon:
(DES MOINES) Today, the Iowa Voter Registration Commission adopted a rule that will allow eligible voters who possess a valid driver’s license or state ID to apply for their voter registration on-line. This system is scheduled to be in place by early 2016. […]
On-line voter registration will be available to eligible voters with a valid Iowa driver’s license or a state issued ID. This represents 93% of the state’s eligible voters. The goal is to continue to work on ways to expand this opportunity in the future so that on-line registration will eventually be available to all eligible voters, including those without driver’s licenses.
Secretary Pate said, “This is a significant step. We had a productive meeting with the DOT and are confident we can be up and going before the 2016 election. We’ll continue to work further on the issue to expand voter registration to other groups for on-line access.”
The voter registration application will be hosted on both the Iowa Department of Transportation and the Iowa Secretary of State website.
Jason Noble reported for the Des Moines Register,
Because the system will rely on electronic signatures on file with the DOT [Department of Transportation], online registration will be available only to Iowans with a driver license or non-operator ID. […]
The potential lack of access has raised concerns among some voting-rights advocates and appeared to trouble Iowa Democratic Party Executive Director Troy Price, a member of the commission.
“Are there ways that we’ll be able to capture those folks who currently don’t have a driver’s license?” Price wondered aloud during the meeting.
A growing number of young people are in no hurry to obtain drivers licenses for various reasons. In addition, Iowa’s aging population includes more and more people who can’t or don’t drive anymore. I’m glad Pate is promising that his office will keep working to reach Iowans without a driver’s license, but Democrats should not take their eye off this ball.