Matt WilcoxAug 12, 2024

Do Americans realise how absolutely insane the very concept of “purging a voter registration list” is? You have to *register to vote*? What are you even talking about?

Are you a citizen? Then you should automatically get a vote. There isn’t anything to administer. You live there. The government serves you; not you it. Voting isn’t supposed to be a privilege, or reward.

The obvious abuse vector that any system other than “all citizens vote” becomes is astounding.

Show threadChristian Mutig 👻🚫
@mattwilcox That's why I couldn't believe it when I first heard about voter registration being a thing in the US.
Here in Germany we actually get notified about every upcoming election and if we want a mail-in ballot or not.
Aug 12, 2024 at 7:49pmWeb
Show threadColm Ó DonnchadhaAug 12, 2024
@Ductos @mattwilcox how does the person notifying you know a) how to contact you?
b) that you are entitled to vote?
Show threadDemiurgAug 12, 2024
@ColmDonoghue @Ductos @mattwilcox I think there is a misunderstanding. In Germany every citizen MUST register the current address always ('Meldepflicht') and can therefore be also registered to vote automatically. That doesn't exist in the US or most of US states. So, since the state does not have you in a register already, you have to register to vote.
Show threadDemiurgAug 12, 2024
@ColmDonoghue @Ductos @mattwilcox This could be solved with nation wide IDs, but it seems there are different approaches between the states and there was/is an issue with native americans, without 'official' addresses.
Show threadColm Ó DonnchadhaAug 12, 2024
@demiurg @Ductos @mattwilcox how do nomadic people do this in Germany?
Show threadDr. h.c.* Grober UnfugAug 13, 2024
@ColmDonoghue @demiurg @Ductos @mattwilcox
They have to register themselves at the local Office of the town they "usually stay the most". Then a few weeks before they have to go to the local voters office to register to vote.
Alternative some caritative orgs (Church, Caritas etc) or refugee homes let you use their address as address.
It's a bit of a hassle and you need citizenship and valid ID as most homeless in germany have problems the reality is more complicated.
Show threadMathias MicheelAug 13, 2024
@GroberUnfug2 @ColmDonoghue @demiurg @Ductos @mattwilcox also, often, when you just moved to a new location before an election, you are not allowed to vote there directly. but this basically only targets local elections. Nationwide elections work a bit differently, you can always vote for the national parliament.
Show threadDiogo ConstantinoAug 13, 2024
@ColmDonoghue @demiurg @Ductos @mattwilcox they would have to change the address on national records every time they move.
Show threadDemiurgAug 13, 2024
@DiogoConstantino @ColmDonoghue @Ductos @mattwilcox Also e.g. a mobile home is not considered a legal way for a permanent residence. You are simply not allowed to live in a van. If you do not have a valid address you would be considered homeless and you would loose insurace and the license for your car. You must have an address.
Show threadDemiurgAug 13, 2024
@DiogoConstantino @ColmDonoghue @Ductos @mattwilcox Same for holiday rentals or airbnbs and alike - not allowed for permanent residence. Also, if you have just a small cabin in the woods or in a garden - not allowed...the list goes on :)
Show threadDr. h.c.* Grober UnfugAug 13, 2024
@demiurg @DiogoConstantino @ColmDonoghue @Ductos @mattwilcox oh they changed that approx 10 years ago. But it has to be something like a mobile home or a Yacht and you have to register at the campground/harbour. So you need an owner who allows it plus some things you have to fulfill on top. And i Do not know if they allow it in every town.
Show threadDemiurgAug 13, 2024
@GroberUnfug2 @DiogoConstantino @ColmDonoghue @Ductos @mattwilcox Thank you! I was not aware of this change!
Show threadmaryjane Aug 13, 2024

@DiogoConstantino @ColmDonoghue

Also changing the address records in Germany is as simple as going to city Hall, to the correct office with data of the new address, like a rent contract, utilities bill, or a witness. And it is done in 5 /10 minutes.

@demiurg @Ductos @mattwilcox

Show threadDiogo ConstantinoAug 13, 2024

@ColmDonoghue @Ductos @mattwilcox in most of the EU we have mandatory national ID which includes centralized records of some personal data like address, and all citizens are required to keep records updated when data changes marriage, change of address, etc...).

Usually being a citizen, and being of age, are the only requirements to be allowed to vote. All those things are on the centralized records.

Show threadJens LjungkvistAug 13, 2024

@ColmDonoghue @Ductos @mattwilcox

Here in Sweden you have a registered address as a citizen. This is where your voting card is sent. But to vote you don’t need it and can show up on voting day to your allocated voting place.

If you’re voting in advance I think you need the card as it is sent to your assigned voting place to be counted on voting day.