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States should modernize registration procedures by allowing eligible voters to register to vote and update their registrations online. Online registration saves states and localities money. Registration rates among young voters increase with online registration. These days, bank transfers, credit card transactions, and even medical record storage all happen online. These transactions are not only complicated but also highly sensitive, yet technology has managed to evolve to ensure the transactions are safe and secure, as well as convenient.

A person’s voter registration should remain valid when he or she moves within the state. Centralized statewide voter registration databases are essential to provide portable registration. Permanent and Portable registration helps narrow participation gaps among young people, people of color and lower-income Americans. Twelve percent of Americans change their residence every year.1 Between 2011 and 2012, 22 million voting-age Americans moved either within the same county or to a different county within thei

Eligible 16 and 17 year olds should be pre-registered to vote and automatically added to voting rolls when they turn 18. Targeted outreach to young eligible voters leads to substantial increases in voter registration. Encouraging civic engagement at a young age leads to increased participation over a lifetime. In the 2008 election, young people voted at the second-highest rate of all time.1 Voter turnout among 18-24 year olds grew by double digits from 2000 to 2008.

Third party voter registration drives are a critical component to ensuring eligible voters are registered. States should permit third party registration drives without restrictive limitations. Boards of elections should provide materials on voter registration to registration drives. The National Voter Registration Act substantially increased the number of places where eligible voters could register. Now, voter registration is available at motor vehicle offices, public assistance agencies, and various other sites.