In your opinion, how long should a new resident of your state live there before allowed to vote?

[CreekDog]

Choose the answer closest to your preference?

(edited to add: assuming they are US Citizens)

29 votes, 1 pass | Time left: Unlimited
	No waiting period necessary
	20 (69%)
	30 days
	5 (17%)
	90 days
	1 (3%)
	6 months
	3 (10%)
	1 year
	0 (0%)
	Longer than 1 year
	0 (0%)
	1 DU member did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[leftstreet]

1. Coming from where? Saturn?

[CreekDog]

7. assuming they are US Citizens, I'm not specifying where they came from

should that matter, as long as they are citizens?

[hrmjustin]

2. As soon as they move there.

[Bandit]

6. In that case a bunch of people could vote in a local election and then leave again

I believe they need to at least establish residency, and that usually takes about a month. I think for hunting and fishing residency requirements it should be at least a year..

[CreekDog]

13. has there been any instance of people voting in a local election and then leaving again?

because same day registration is legal in several states.

[Bandit]

20. Yes it was quite a problem in Alaska when we were deciding stuff on the Pipeline

Many oil workers from Oklahoma and Texas were trying to sway our election to benefit them and other outside workers at the expense of Alaska workers. Alaskans discussed what was going on and decided to make the voting residency eligibility to be thirty days and that solved the problems...No one has enough local knowlege to make educated decisions after only one day of being in the state. In a National election though I think you should be able to vote wherever you happen to be at that particual time and place..Local elections effect locals and should be decided by locals..IMO

[CTyankee]

21. That's highly speculative and what's more, there is no evidence of voter fraud happening that

way...or any way, in any appreciable numbers, for that matter. There is a greater problem in our democracy with low voter turnout, not the opposite.

[Bandit]

23. So you think you would have the right after only one day to make decisions on local matters?

We had problems with that very thing not to many years ago...Alaskans decided a person should live in the state at least thirty days before voting in local elections.. It is a year for hunting and fishing.

[CTyankee]

25. I'm ok with waiting for the first bills to come in, as a way of establishing your address

if you don't drive and need a driver's license. I'd like to see folks have a same day registration/voting, making it easier to vote.

Hunting/fishing activities are not in the same category as voting. I don't hunt or fish, but the idea that I wouldn't exercise my right to vote would be unthinkable and hunting/fishing are not necessary to the proper functioning of a representational democracy.

[LanternWaste]

33. I'd imagine that if one is a member of the local populace, regardless of length of residency

"So you think you would have the right after only one day to make decisions on local matters?"

I'd imagine that if one is a member of the local populace, regardless of length of residency, then decisions on local matters are directly relevant...




However, I do realize many people believe local decisions affect only those who have been residing in that locality for 30 days (or a year), and those same decisions have absolutely no effect on those who have lived there for merely a matter of weeks.

[Bandit]

35. So how would you vote on our upcoming Harbor Bill?

How would that effect you after one day of living in our community?

[NutmegYankee]

38. It would affect them every day after.

If it will impact the services of government or their taxes, they should vote on it. Even if they are just a property owner and live elsewhere, they should get to vote on a tax measure. That's how it's done here in Conn.

[Agschmid]

59. No.

[Rex]

3. As soon as they get a state I.D. card or drivers license

would be fine with me.

[hughee99]

8. Why should they need an ID to vote? n/t

[Rex]

15. I have to show ID to vote in my district.

You don't have to?

[brooklynite]

26. Um, no...

Never had to in NY, PA or MD.

[Rex]

46. Must be nice.

I've always had to show proof of who I am, before I've been allowed to vote.

[MineralMan]

28. Not in Minnesota, either.

And people can register to vote at the polls on election day. They just have to demonstrate that they live in the precinct, and that can be by by attestation by any registered voter in that precinct. Other Identification, including utility bills in one's name or rent receipts will also work. You do have to sign a statement that you are a citizen.

[Jenoch]

55. The residency requirement in Minnesota is that a voter must

reside in Minnesota the previous 20 days prior to election day. I don't know what the residency requirements would be to obtain an absentee ballot.

http://www.sos.state.mn.us/index.aspx?page=204

[hughee99]

34. I don't in MA.

I'm not sure if the rules are different in larger towns, though. I'm from a pretty small town.

[Raine]

66. I don't. I'm in Los Angeles County, all I do is sign my name. nt

[CreekDog]

11. Wait, are you saying ID should be required to vote?

[Rex]

14. Yes or at least a voter registration card would work.

Any state ID or drivers license, I should be clear on that.

[KamaAina]

36. Two words: Poll tax

State IDs and driver's licenses cost money. That's a poll tax prohibited by the 14th Amendment.

And guess who's less likely to have ID? Poor minority voters, and students. Why do you think the repukes are pushing voter ID laws so hard?

[Rex]

47. You know what? That must be true I live in Texas

and I've always had to show some proof that I was who I say I am, before they would let me vote. Must be nice to live in a 'freer' state.

[KamaAina]

48. So have I.

I sign the register at the polls. The poll workers match the signature against the one on my registration. Under penalty of perjury. But at no cost.

[Agnosticsherbet]

4. You got an address, you can register, and vote.

[HereSince1628]

17. Ok, but what does it mean to 'have an address'?

I generally agree with you in principle, how in practice does that work for the homeless?

Personally I think people's movements have rather less influence on elections than the movement of 'outside' money into local, and state campaigns. Consequently, I lean toward letting persons who 'have an address' in a jurisdiction, even while I see arguments can be made about fraud.

[Agnosticsherbet]

22. The homeless are a dificult case, but they could be delt with this way.

The mayors office in any town, or county offices in any county could be declared their legal place of residence for purpose of voting and gaining ID cards. That way they can get a state ID and have access to needed services, even if they don't have three hots and a cot or a roof over their head.

[HereSince1628]

30. Yes, I think the homeless are a difficult case, so too, the poor, sick and elderly.

And many of these people are disenfranchised, either by mere unfortunate circumstance or by ill intent.

[Agnosticsherbet]

31. To vote, they need an address, and the government is withing its power to offer them one

Hire two or three people as advocate to the homeless who would manage their mail, in registering to vote, and in finding a place to sleep, food to eat, and medical care.

The real issue in the OP is voting. That can be handled as I suggested. Just set up the Mayors office and or office of the Country registrar (or its equivalent) as their home address for purposes of voting.

[madokie]

5. I'm all for someone having to live in a district to represent it but

no one should have to wait to vote. Voting is what makes a democracy work.

[Agschmid]

60. +1

[Wait Wut]

9. At first I was going for at least 30 days...

...for local elections. A newbie probably doesn't know much about his/her new town or its politics. But...what better way to encourage their education than to allow them to vote? The worst that could happen is a straight party line vote from one person. Probably not going to change the outcome.

[Squinch]

10. The poll needs another option: "are you fucking kidding me?"

[Laffy Kat]

12. Hey! NO waiting!

[struggle4progress]

16. Current NC law says you have to live in a county 30 days before voting there

[onehandle]

18. The moment you are expected to pay taxes. nt

[LuvNewcastle]

19. I think 30 days is about right.

They usually ask for a utility bill to prove residency; they do the same to get a library card. People will start getting bills at their house about a month after they move in.

[MNBrewer]

24. No waiting period, provide they actually are residing in the state.

and not just passing through.

[Avalux]

27. Wait for what? US Citizen = Right to Vote. No matter where. n/t

[HolyMoley]

29. I wonder how many new residents would claim

that they should have the right to vote in local and State elections of their new found home as soon as they move there, but then adamantly refuse, and/or protest having to register, reinsure their vehicles because they would be paying more?

[Yo_Mama]

32. Permanent residency

By the time they've switched their driver's license or have to pay taxes as a state resident, they should be able to vote.

[CreekDog]

39. taxes as a state resident?

what does that mean? that might take months if they are looking for a job.

[Yo_Mama]

50. You generally have to file a tax return if you are living there

Basically, I'm saying at the point at which you change your permanent residency, i.e., you aren't qualified to vote in two places!

That is not an evil or unworkable standard. The 30 days thing doesn't generally work, because a lot of people move around a lot. You should be permanently resident if you are voting.

To put it another way, every non-felon US citizen of age should have one place to vote, and that place should be your permanent residence, not wherever you happen to be on election day.

For example, for years I was in IT. Well, a lot of us are transients. We might work 2-4 months on a contract in one place, and then move on to another job. I would have no local knowledge and no incentive to gain any, since that would not be my permanent home. It's just a worksite. I should no more be voting for state and local officials there than anyone else who isn't a permanent resident. Instead, I would vote absentee ballot in my home district.

Military people often have temporary postings and vote in their permanent state of residence, etc.

[CreekDog]

51. so you should wait until the following year when you file a tax return to vote?

um, no.

[Yo_Mama]

53. No, you should be a permanent resident

That might occur 15 days after you moved. I'm talking about when your tax status would change, not when you would file a tax return.

Or you might move, stay with a friend, and look for a job for two months, with the theory that you'll stay if you can find work. If not, you move on. I don't think locally voting is warranted - you still have more affiliations with your old state.

Or you might be retired, and buy a second home in another state. In that case, if you are not permanently moving and you spend most of the year in your original state, then you shouldn't be voting in the new state, but in the old.

IRS rules of residence are pretty matter-of-fact.
http://www.ehow.com/how_5127568_determine-state-residency-tax-purposes.html

[bluestate10]

42. I agree with that concept. The person should have some skin in the game in the new state.

Getting auto tags and registering property are indications that people are planning to put down roots.

[FarCenter]

37. Define "new resident"

Residency is a surprisingly slippery legal concept.

[Iggo]

40. Long enough to register to vote, I guess.

[bluestate10]

41. As soon as the person register to vote in the new state of residence. nt

[krawhitham]

43. sliding scale

If you buy a house then as soon as you can register
If you rent an apartment 45 days
If you live in a hotel/motel 90 days

This is mainly because I would not put it past baggers to relocate temporarily to help a bagger candidate win an election

[KamaAina]

49. Repubs would love that

homeowners = more likely to be affluent and white
renters = more likely to be low-income and minority
people who live in hotels or motels = most likely living on benefits

[life long demo]

52. I understand what you said, but no.

You can't segregate voters. When this country started only landowners were allowed to vote. I think the homeless should be allowed to register and vote. I don't know if they are, but they should be. Every US citizen should be allowed to register and vote. I would like to see voting moved to a weekend also. It just should be easier to vote.

[CreekDog]

54. your idea is horrible and reactionary

the use of the term "baggers" doesn't make your post liberal, quite the contrary, favoring with voting rights, property owners above all others and disfavoring the chronically poor among all others.

[1-Old-Man]

44. I think you should be able to vote in the state you live in on Election day

There should be no waiting period at all, you are a citizen and how you time your moves in life are no business of the Government, only that you only vote once. And let's face it, who on earth would take the trouble to register in two different states? Hell, half of the people don't even bother to vote in their own state, let alone their's and another.

[The Straight Story]

45. About as long as they have to live there to run for US Senate

[Puzzledtraveller]

56. However long it takes to show proof of residence and register.

If you want to vote it's up to you to. I work in DCBS, many of my clients are not registered to vote. State law requires we ask at every contact if they are registered and if not would they like to register. You would be amazed at how many say no and also reiterate that they do not want to register. I experience this across all age and race groups.

[GreenStormCloud]

57. SCOTUS said that 30 days is the legal maximum for any state to have.

Here is a link to the residency requirement for each state.

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0781452.html

None have more than 30 days. The Supreme Court decision of March 21, 1972, declared lengthy requirements for voting in state and local elections unconstitutional and suggested that 30 days was an ample period

[CreekDog]

61. I was asking what people here wanted, not what the law says

which is what my OP said.

but thanks for pointing out the constitutional requirements.

[Agschmid]

58. Really?

This poll advocates for polling restrictions? On DU?

Good luck... with this crap poll.

[CreekDog]

62. i advocate for no waiting period for voting

[Agschmid]

63. Good.

[Posteritatis]

64. If they live there when a poll's going on, they've been there long enough.

I can't muster enough contempt for people who try to restrict the franchise.

[Humanist_Activist]

65. 30 day residency, in the case of local and state elections, national citizenship should be optional.

It used to be a practice in the United States for legal immigrants to be able to vote in local and state elections, that changed recently, federal elections should require U.S. Citizenship and no state residency requirements.