Catching up with California's rep as the tech capital

Among the bounty of new laws on California's books for 2020, changes in the voter registration process seem some of the more significant. The Secretary of State's database capacity is finally being used to allow same day registration at the polls.

Californians will be able to register to vote on election day at local polling places and voting centers ...

The new law provides for a significant expansion of so-called conditional voter registration, which allows a new voter to cast a ballot that is counted after eligibility is determined during the 30-day vote-counting period after an election. That process began in last year’s statewide election, but registration was available only in county elections offices. Starting next year, voters can register on election day anywhere ballots are cast.

L.A. Times

Not so long ago, county voter registrars would have been unable to process such changes in real time and provide the new voter with a geographically appropriate ballot. No longer, and this will be particularly significant in sprawling Los Angeles.

... new voters should be able to have ballots printed that match the precinct in which they are registered.

Moreover, same day re-registration will help prevent frustration in the primary election -- no one will be told they can't have the ballot for the party they wish to vote in when they arrive to vote.

There are less and less excuses for not voting.