Re: Voter Registration
Vincent Juliano (vjuliano@juno.com)
Thu, 11 Sep 1997 10:47:16 -0400
Date: Thu, 11 Sep 1997 10:47:16 -0400
Message-Id: <19970911.094753.2727.2.vjuliano@juno.com>
From: vjuliano@juno.com (Vincent Juliano)
To: Multiple recipients of list <conntech>
Subject: Re: Voter Registration
Sharon,
I started a poorly thought-out reply to your request for input on voter
registration, but was interrupted while editing it. I hope that you did
NOT receive it. Hopefully, this reply will make more sense, and it
should replace anything you may have received from me before this date.
I have had a problem with this "motor voter" registration project, and
have been troubled by what is expected by libraries from the Secretary of
the State, et alias.
The Voter Registration campaign should identify libraries as one of
several sources of registration forms, and should include information on
how new voters can better inform themselves about the candidates and
issues they will be expected to vote on.
The current expectations are that library staff will ask virtually
everyone who walks into a library if they are registered to vote, and
then aggressively do everything in their power to register them,
including translate forms and fill the form out for the person.
1. This is insulting to libraries. It assumes that staff can drop
whatever they are doing for library patrons in order to register voters.
2. More importantly, it's insulting to citizens. Believe it or not,
there are still people out here who think that their voting privileges
are personal and not to be discussed in public places. We have people
who are sensitive about their age! We really do not need to further
insult them by implying that they are "bad" citizens because they may or
may not be properly registered to vote.
Instead of the negative, hit 'em over the head approach that has been
used so far which seems to assume that people are too ignorant or lazy to
register, the Campaign should help people see what is at stake, and let
them make up their own minds. Again, I would stress posters, PSAs, etc.
that identify where people can get registration forms, what the deadlines
are, and then "heavier" information on how the citizen can understand who
the candidates and issues are. Perhaps that heavier information can be
available at libraries, where many people come for information and
reading materials every week.
Thanks for the opportunity for feedback. If I can be of further help,
please let me know.
Vince Juliano
Waterford Public Library