Voter Registration as a requirement

[Senusret I]

Requiring that one is registered to vote is not the same thing as requiring them to vote.

ETA: That was for Kate.

[seraphimsprite]

I like the idea of voter registration drives, but politics in sororities can get ugly really quickly. During the 2000 election, there were several of us who were really politically active and pretty much the entire chapter were Democrats. There were two Republicans in the whole chapter who were actually made to feel rather uncomfortable (mostly unintentional), particularly during the whole Florida recount mess.

I can imagine that any Democrats in that Alabama chapter probably were not happy that they were having a Bush fundraiser.

[PsychTau]

Originally posted by pinkyphimu
i like the idea of voter registration drives, but how do you do it on a college campus where there are students from just about every state

A situation happened last year in Arkansas where a county judge ordered that all college students in that county that registered with a University address/PO Box were ineligible to vote in that county and had their names struck from the registered voter list. This was for a state election (not national). His argument was that these students aren't permanent residents of that county and therefore are ineligible to vote in that county.

That decision got overturned rather quickly.....his county has 2 colleges in it. One of them is a large Baptist University.....where the current Governor's (who was up for reelection) daughter attended school....and the Governor himself is a Baptist Minister. So.....that little decision didn't last long.

But it does bring up the point that some towns/counties may have guidelines on how the students are registered to vote, etc. That would be worth checking into.

PsychTau

[Little E]

This is the difficulty with requiring voter registration. Federalism gives the running of the elections to each individual state. The national government has very little, if any, control over state elections, they put forth standards, which are vague at best. To require voter registration would be difficult because everything varries.

Example: Wisconsin has same-day registration with an open-primary system, by that I mean you can show up at the poll, with a bill or proof of residency and an ID. (Though in Beloit, they accept a college ID as residency even if your driver's is out of state). You can vote on any, and all i believe, tickets in a primary. For example i could have choosen, in 2000, McCain and Gore or whomever. You do not actually declare your party.

Now in PA you have to register 1 month in advance in order to be eligible to vote. Then you need to have a voter registration card, which they send you by mail in order to cast your ballot. Additionally, correct me if I'm wrong, but you need to delcare your party affiliation to vote in the primary. If you declare Independent, you do not get to vote in the primary, only registered party affiliates can.

It is too complicated to REQUIRE voter registration for membership. I agree with encouraging chapters to participate in voter turnout, but I also think that chapters shouldn't be forced. There are some chapters who can just not handle to add the political into the sorority, no matter how non-partisan it is ment. Anyone who has been in a sorority chapter meeting can atest, I'm assuming, to how hot topics can get, I think that sisterhood should come before politics, always.

[TheEpitome1920]

Originally posted by Little E

It is too complicated to REQUIRE voter registration for membership. I agree with encouraging chapters to participate in voter turnout, but I also think that chapters shouldn't be forced. There are some chapters who can just not handle to add the political into the sorority, no matter how non-partisan it is ment. Anyone who has been in a sorority chapter meeting can atest, I'm assuming, to how hot topics can get, I think that sisterhood should come before politics, always.

Alpha Phi Alpha requires it. Doesn't seem like they are having issues with their membership...

[Taualumna]

Originally posted by Senusret I
We do not require proof that you voted, we require proof that you are registered to vote at time of application.

So basically, your GLO has two requirements: You have to be male AND a citizen.

[Senusret I]

Originally posted by Taualumna
So basically, your GLO has two requirements: You have to be male AND a citizen.

My GLO has more than two requirements.

Individuals who are not citizens would have to inquire with the appropriate fraternity officials. Seeing as how we have international chapters, CLEARLY there are exceptions.

[Taualumna]

Originally posted by Senusret I
My GLO has more than two requirements.

Individuals who are not citizens would have to inquire with the appropriate fraternity officials. Seeing as how we have international chapters, CLEARLY there are exceptions.

BUt is that really fair? I mean, people should be encouraged to vote, but to require them to be registered just doesn't make sense to me. It just makes it harder for non-citiztens (and under 18s) to join, since many may not want to go through with the paper work. Personally, I find it a turn-off.

[Senusret I]

Originally posted by Taualumna
BUt is that really fair? I mean, people should be encouraged to vote, but to require them to be registered just doesn't make sense to me. It just makes it harder for non-citiztens to join, since many may not want to go through with the paper work. Personally, I find it a turn-off.

You really should visit www.alphaphialpha.net.

Beyond that, yes, it is fair. If you really want to join, you will do what it takes. If you need to contact a District Director because you are a non-citizen and want to be exempt from that requirement, then yes, that's fair. It might be MORE WORK for that applicant, but so what?

Again, if you read our website, you will see why this is important to us.

[Lady Pi Phi]

I'm not knocking this (although I would not want it for Pi Phi)

But even if members were required to provide proof of registration as a voter, this could provide difficulties for international chapters.

Here in Canada, when it's time to vote a registration card is mailed to you. If you don't recieve a card and you are eligible to vote (and you want to vote) you have 2 options. 1) call your returning officer and them place your name on the voters list 2) you can go to your polling station on the day of an election and register there. All subsequent elections will have your name on the list and you will be sent a voters card in the mail.

Also, when you go an vote, they take your card to show that you have voted.

I don't know how I would prove to them I was a registered voter.

How do you do it?

[Tom Earp]

What about People Who are Registered and dont vote?

Or people who never register to vote?

Why are they always the ones who complain the most?

If you aint in, then dont!

I have voted in every election since I was old enough to vote!

I then have a right to complain!

Thank You and I approve this message!

Monkey See, Monkey Do!

[Senusret I]

Originally posted by Lady Pi Phi
I'm not knocking this (although I would not want it for Pi Phi)

But even if members were required to provide proof of registration as a voter, this could provide difficulties for international chapters.

Here in Canada, when it's time to vote a registration card is mailed to you. If you don't recieve a card and you are eligible to vote (and you want to vote) you have 2 options. 1) call your returning officer and them place your name on the voters list 2) you can go to your polling station on the day of an election and register there. All subsequent elections will have your name on the list and you will be sent a voters card in the mail.

Also, when you go an vote, they take your card to show that you have voted.

I don't know how I would prove to them I was a registered voter.

How do you do it?

In Washington, DC, when you register, you get a permanent card. You get a new one when you report to the board of elections that you have moved. They do not expire otherwise.

We only have one chapter in Canada and I don't know what they do to resolve the issue.

[Lady Pi Phi]

Originally posted by Tom Earp
What about People Who are Registered and dont vote?

Or people who never register to vote?

Why are they always the ones who complain the most?

If you aint in, then dont!

I have voted in every election since I was old enough to vote!

I then have a right to complain!

Thank You and I approve this message!

Monkey See, Monkey Do!

Tom, I believe most of us that are participating in this thread ARE registered voters and DO vote.

Stop making snap judgements.

[Janerz222]

Here's more info about the GO VOTE 04 campaign, from the public area of our website. . . (Once there, you can click on the link the last sentence to get a PDF file describing the program.)

GO VOTE 04 stands for Greeks Organizing Voting Opportunities, Transportation, and Education in 2004. It looks like a comprehensive guide for chapters who wish to encourage and enable their larger communities to vote.

FYI, Kappa Alpha Theta does not require our members to be registered voters.

[TheEpitome1920]

Originally posted by Taualumna
BUt is that really fair? I mean, people should be encouraged to vote, but to require them to be registered just doesn't make sense to me. It just makes it harder for non-citiztens (and under 18s) to join, since many may not want to go through with the paper work. Personally, I find it a turn-off.

I just had to say something, to the men of Alpha Phi Alpha I hope you don't mind...

As the oldest collegiate fraternity established for African American men its OBVIOUS that this requirement has not hendered their membership nor their ability to provide phi-nomenal service to the community. And those who find it a turn-off seek membership elsewhere and get on with their lives. How could one you find voter registration a turn off, especially if you are from a group that was historically denied access to voting??