Tucson News NowNew voter registration form raises concerns

TUCSON, AZ (KOLD) – A new voter registration form is asking for more information from voters and asking other things differently.  But voters don't have to answer all the questions, and some say that the changes are not for the better.

"It puts certain, valid recognized parties ahead of other valid, recognized parties," said Pima County Libertarian Party chair Ted Glenn about the new form.

The Arizona voter registration form asks party preference as Republican, Democrat, or other.  Glenn said that the way the question is structured is unfair to other parties such as his and the Green Party.

"They're treated differently although they're on the same footing," said Ted Glenn, chair of the Pima County Libertarian Party.

Both state Libertarian and Green parties have filed suit to change the form.  The old one simply asked party preference, without any particular parties listed as options.  County Republicans and Democrats see the change differently.

"I think that's good," said Carolyn Cox, chair of the Pima County Republican Party.  "Because otherwise they might not fill it out correctly and it ends up being ‘no party declared.'"

"So this was increasing party registration, but it really seems to me a bit unfair to not include all the valid parties on the ballot at the same time," said Jeff Rogers, chair of the Pima County Democratic Party.

"It's not something that the recorders agreed upon," said Pima County Recorder F. Ann Rodriguez.  "Because we have other parties, Greens and Libertarians who are recognized in this state."

Rodriguez has another change to handle: the new form asks for an email address.  Voters only have to provide name; address; birthday; citizenship confirmation; driver license state I-D, or last four digits of their Social Security Number; and signature.  The rest is optional; however, not all voters know that.

"Right now, the email addresses are not required from us for the political parties yet," Rodriguez said.  "But wait.  You know, once they know we have it, (the legislators) are going to start mandating that we give it to them, just like the phone numbers."

Rodriguez said that the best way to avoid giving away your email address is to fill out a paper form and to not put your phone number or email.

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