Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed Expresses Strong Support for Legislation Released by Rep. McCarthy and Rep. Harper to Increase States' Online Voter Registration Services

Washington - Today, the Ranking Republican of the Committee on House Administration's Elections Subcommittee, Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and Subcommittee member Rep. Gregg Harper, R-Miss., received a letter from Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed expressing strong support for legislation the two Representatives recently released to solicit feedback from election officials. The legislation, which is designed to increase online voter registration services, will allow states to preserve necessary safeguards that protect against the fraudulent registration tactics witnessed in past elections.

"I strongly support the online voter registration legislation," Reed stated. "Each voter registration file must include a valid signature from the voter, so I am pleased to see that the draft legislation requires a signature from the state database the public uses most: the state driver's licensing agency."

In his letter, Reed also praised the flexibility the legislation would give states to implement online registration services using existing state registration deadlines and voter eligibility requirements, versus forcing a one-size-fits-all mandate that would hinder a state's ability to prevent fraud and abuse.

If adopted, the legislation would provide incentives for states to implement online registration programs, increase the accuracy of registration records, reduce the administrative costs associated with data entry, and protect against the processing of fraudulent registrations by requiring voter eligibility and identity verification.

For more information, please contact the Committee press office at (202) 225-8281.