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Democracy and Election Administration Webinar Series

Voter Registration Modernization

Despite efforts to make registration easier, the percent of eligible voters registered nationally remains stuck at around 70%. Now, with Help America Vote Act (HAVA) compliance a factor and new initiatives coming out of the U.S. Department of Justice, National Voter Registration Act enforcement and efforts at reaching universal registration are as important as ever. Moreover, advancements in technology provide states with an opportunity to modernize their voter registration systems to increase access and improve the system. Speakers will discuss some of the ongoing efforts and suggest easy reforms that states can undertake to modernize and expand voter registration.

Date

Tuesday December 14, 2010 1:00 pm EST

Speakers

Samuel Derheimer, Senior Associate Pew's Election Initiative
Samuel Derheimer assists in the management of pilot projects and case studies geared toward improving the accuracy, efficiency and security of U.S. elections for Election Initiatives, an initiative of the Pew Center on the States. Prior to joining Pew, Samuel was a field associate for Burnside & Associates Political Consultants where he managed political campaigns for state and federal elections across the country. He holds a law degree from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame.

(e):SDerheimer@pewtrusts.org

Steven Rosenfeld, Author and Elections Consultant
Steve Rosenfeld began working with Project Vote in 2010, bringing with him nearly two decades' experience as an author, analyst, reporter, and editor specializing in voting rights issues. In addition to Project Vote, Mr. Rosenfeld has served as a consultant to several advocacy groups and foundations; he was the author of Project Vote's 2010 case study, Paperless Registration: Innovations in Three States, and recently worked with the Pew Center's Election Initiative on their forthcoming voter registration modernization plan. Mr. Rosenfeld covered the 2008 election as a Senior Fellow with AlterNet.org, worked as press secretary for several political campaigns, and has served as a writer, producer, and reporter with several publications and media outlets including NPR and Air America Radio. He is the author of several books, including Count My Vote: A Citizen's Guide to Voting. Mr. Rosenfeld resides in San Francisco.

(e): srose14@earthlink.net

Adam Sotak, Organizing Director for Democracy North Carolina
Adam has been working with Democracy NC since January 2000, when it was still known as Democracy South. Prior to joining us, Adam received his MSW from UNC-Chapel Hill and trained and worked as a labor organizer. He also spent two years working with at-risk youth. In 2001, he received the Humanitarian Award from the Charlotte-Black Political Caucus and in 2005 he received the "Unsung Hero Award" from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg NAACP for his work for voting rights. As our Organizing Director, he oversees the work of all Democracy NC organizers. He is also active in frontline organizing in Charlotte, Piedmont and western counties.

(e): adamsotak@democracy-nc.org

Presentation

Voter Registration Modernization Webinar

Materials

Samuel Derheimer - Voter Registration Modernization: Bringing Voter Registration into the 21st Century
Steven Rosenfeld - Voter Registration Modernization and the NVRA
Adam Sotak - Early Registration and Voter Education: North Carolina's Story