Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand: Expand Online Voter Registration Access
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand wants every American to have the option of registering to vote on his or her computer, smartphone or tablet device.
The New York Democrat announced legislation Sunday that would force the 23 states that don't have an online registration system to establish one.
"If a bank can figure out how to allow you to do your banking online, we can figure out how to register to vote online," Gillibrand told reporters, including WCBS 880's Jim Smith.
The bill also would expand enrollment access in states that currently have online systems by making them open to all eligible voters without requiring a state-issued ID. That would open up online registrations to more young people, seniors and minorities.
"If we want every voter to have their voice be heard, we have to make change," Gillibrand said.
Gillibrand said nearly half of eligible voters don't have access to online registration.
New York has an online system but ranks 47th in the nation in voter registration.
The senator said the steps in her bill will ease the burden of registering and save states millions of dollars by allowing voters to input and update their information electronically.
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