(Neon Tommy)

Assemblyman Mike Feuer’s Assembly Bill 1436 will allow people to conditionally register to vote until Election Day. 

“This is to encourage democracy," Councilman Richard Alarcon said. "This is to have more people participate in the process."

The registration rate of California is among the lowest in the country. Of its voting-age population, 50.6 percent were registered to vote in 2010. The state is followed by New Mexico with 50.1 percent and Hawaii with 48.3 percent, according to U.S. Census Bureau. 

Due to low registration rate in California, its voting rate in 2010 was 39.2 percent, tied with Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that the rate was 2.6 percent below the national average. 

“Same day registration is especially helpful in low visibility campaigns where the turnout is usually very low,” said Marion Just, professor of political science at Wellesley College. “Same-day registration in Los Angeles should increase the participation of young people, new citizens and those who have not had the opportunity for higher education.” 

Before same-day registration was approved, eligible voters in Los Angeles had to submit a voter affidavit at least 15 days prior to an election. 

Alarcon said the others states that adopted same-day registration saw a dramatic increase of voting participation.

North Carolina adopted same-day registration in 2007. Its registered voters turnout stood at 70 percent in 2008, up 6 percent from 2004, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections. 

The registration rate of the voting-age population in North Caroline topped 63.7 percent in 2010, about 4 percent higher than the national average of 59.8 percent.

The registration rate in California in 2010 was lower than North Carolina at 50.6 percent, according to the Census Bureau. 

Donna Berman, a speaker from the Valley, disagreed with the same-day registration bill.

“There is absolutely no way people could check those people out and see their backgrounds,” she said.  

Berman said people can’t get registered in time and vote at the same time.

“This is ridiculous," she said.

According to Just, opponents of same-day registration argue that it can increase election fraud. Since the incidence of election fraud is so low in the United States, that argument has floundered for lack of evidence.

Individuals who want to register and vote in the same day have to go to the County elections office or a satellite office. On-site verification is required to ensure eligibility and prevent fraud. 

According to Assemblyman Mike Feuer's legislative aide, Andrew-Brian Nguyen, Los Angeles is the first city in California to support this bill.

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Reach staff reporter Gracie Zheng here.