Idaho, like many states in the country, is still behind the times when it comes to voting.
For example, while their neighbors in Washington state have the convenience of mail-in ballots, Idahoans are still lining up - sometimes for long hours - at the polls.
And until recently, residents were unable to register to vote online.
But that has changed as Secretary of State Lawrence Denney announced the move to online registration Tuesday. The state believes it will not only benefit voters, but government administrators, too.
Paper registration costs the state 83 cents per voter, while online registration only costs 3 cents, according to a study in Arizona, the first state to implement paperless registration in 2002.
Thirty-five other states already have online registration, which still seems surprisingly low given that it's 2017 and we are continually speeding toward a paperless world.
The new system allows voters to fill out an electronic application that is sent to state election officials for validation. The Idaho Transportation Department will provide digital copies of voter signatures from state-issued driver's licenses to become part of the voter database.
A study done by The Pew Charitable Trusts, a non-partisan and nonprofit organization, found online registration is not only more convenient, but leads to more accurate and complete voter lists.
While normal registration is not an arduous process, the ease of online voting may entice more people to stop procrastinating and sign up. Younger voters, in particular, who are used to handling most of their affairs electronically, will likely be more persuaded to register now.
A democracy thrives when more people participate. States should always strive to make the process easier.
There are still more serious problems to tackle, such as the practice of gerrymandering to influence voter turnouts in favor of a particular political party. And mail-in ballots should also be the norm in all states as they help prevent long lines at poll stations.
So, we're hopeful online registration will be one of the first dominoes to fall to make voting as easy as possible.
- Anthony Kuipers, for the editorial board
