The Washington Post reports that Republicans and Democrats are running neck and neck in registration drives in five battleground states, while Democrats have made notable gains in two others.
According to the Post, neither party has gained a significant registration advantage in Florida, Colorado, Nevada, New Hampshire and New Mexico. The Democrats have made strong gains in Pennsylvania and Iowa.
The Post cautions that conclusions can't be drawn about all the newly registered voters. Voter registration rolls grew nationally in 1996 and 1998, largely because of "motor-voter" laws, but turnout was down in both years. In 2000 and 2002, registration was down but turnout was up.
Two-thirds of voters who take it upon themselves to register show up at the polls, but it is unclear whether the people who would not have registered if someone had not approached them are as motivated to vote. I don't think they are. If people really cared they would go and register themselves.
After the story about a NAACP recruiter who paid (with crack cocaine)a man to register
voters for the Democrats, I am less worried than I was about this. He registered George Forman and Mary Poppins among others -- all living at the same address!
Hey, Soros, see where your money has been going!!!!!
Posted by: Maggie | Tuesday, October 19, 2004 at 09:50 PM