Good News on the Voting Front

In addition to the big picture stuff of the widening fundraising gap for Democrats, and the enormous generic ballot edge for Democrats, some of the mechanics of voting in the states are favoring Democrats - and democracy - as well.

First of all, as another continuing sign that Florida's new Republican governor Charlie Crist is a sensible guy after all, he approved returning the franchise to some felons after they serve out their sentences.

Most Florida felons will regain voting and other civil rights more quickly after completing their sentences under changes approved Thursday by the governor and the state clemency board.

Republican Gov. Charlie Crist pushed the change, saying the rights to vote, hold office and serve on a jury were fundamental to being part of a democratic society.

Florida was one of three U.S. states, along with Kentucky and Virginia, that required ex-felons to take action to restore their civil rights no matter how long they had been out of prison. Other states have waiting periods before restoration, though most restore rights automatically when felons complete their sentence.

This brings Florida into the 21st century. Remember that purging reputed felons from the voting rolls in 2000 was a key to the Jeb Bush and Katherine Harris-engineered "victory" in the Sunshine State for gwb43.com.

Add this to the news that Iowa, one of only two states to flip blue to red in 2004, approved same-day registration today.

Gov. Chet Culver signed a bill Tuesday that allows voters to register on Election Day, ending the 10-day cutoff for registration.

"Here in Iowa, we want to make it as easy as possible for Iowans to be involved in the democratic process. This bill achieves this goal," Culver said in a statement.

The bill requires voters to present photo identification if they register on Election Day. This is not required for registration at other times.

Both are important. Same-day registration increases turnout everywhere it's been tried, and many claim it provided the difference in Wisconsin in 2004. Throw in the fact that the other state to go blue to red in 2004 may have a native son on the ticket (in the 2nd spot, one imagines), and the electoral map looks better and better.

And here's the point I want to make. A democratic society should be as open and welcoming with extending the franchise as possible. Whether it's allowing those who have paid their debt to society to return to it, or giving American citizens as low a barrier to entry as possible to casting a ballot, these things are vital to the vibrancy and continued success of our country. So it's not so much about improving chances for Democrats as it is making sure everyone in this country has an equal voice, at least for one day.