#ResistanceRoots
#NationalVoterRegistrationDay

Today is National Voter Registration Day! Which begs the question: Why do we have voter registration to begin with?

Let’s look at a little history. /1
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Before the 1870s, voters came to the polls on election day with whatever documents or witnesses they might need to establish their eligibility. However, eligibility requirements were complex, varying from state to state. They might include property ownership, literacy, etc. /2
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Because this created an administrative bottleneck at the polls, states began implementing voter registration laws, primarily in cities, so officials could determine the voter’s eligibility before election day. By WWI, these pre-registration requirements became widespread. /3
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It's a weird system. We just get ours in the mail.
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