New website allows California residents to register to vote electronically

California residents looking to vote in November can now register electronically through a new website, California Secretary of State Debra Bowen’s office announced today.

New voters planning to cast their ballot in the Nov. 6 general election must register ““ via mail or online ““ by Oct. 22, according to the office’s website.

“Today the Internet replaces the mailbox for thousands of Californians wanting to register to vote,” Bowen said in a press release.

In 2009, the state launched an online fillable application that could be printed and mailed to elections officials, according to the press release. The new application, however, takes the entire registration process ““ from filling out to submitting ““ online.

When an individual registers electronically, the system will pull up state records for the applicant’s California driver license or identification card number, date of birth and the last four digits of the applicant’s social security number.

The applicant can then authorize elections officials to add his or her signature from the Department of Motor Vehicles to the voter registration application.

If a signature is not on file, the applicant can print the application, sign it, and mail it to his or her county elections office.

Information provided in the online application will be verified by a county elections official before an applicant can be added to the state’s list of registered voters, Bowen said in the press release.

“Security is a critical part of elections, and I want to emphasize (that) this online application is not “˜automatic registration,’” she said.

Compiled by Naheed Rajwani, Bruin senior staff.

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