There is probably a valid argument about the managing the logistics of poling places to be made here.
Is there? Never had to register to vote, never had to walk more than a few minutes to the polling place, never had to wait more than a few minutes to cast the vote. These are not unique experiences, but simply what everyone expects in any functional democracy.
When you cast a vote, how do they know you are eligible to vote there? The answer is that you registered at some point, though they may not have called it that
If you want to migrate here legally, you will have to apply for permanent or temporary residency. You will be registered to vote (insofar as you would be eligible to cast them) as soon as you do.
So the difference in the US is if you move to a different voting area, there’s nothing requiring you to report your location to the government, so they would have no way of knowing that you live there.
Sure you pay taxes, but that doesnt always include telling the state where you live. Some states dont have income taxes relying instead on property taxes (which only applies if you own a home) and sales taxes (which arent affiliated with an address). Almost all states that have income taxes also have a minimum amount of money you have to make before you need to file taxes. If you work in the home or part time, there’s a decent chance you dont have to file state taxes; they just pull money from your paycheck (if it’s a legitimate job).
Additionally, voting and tax filing are typically 6-ish months apart, so if you’ve moved, the location won’t be accurate.
Depends on to which level of government you are talking about.
If I have a job I’m paying federal income tax. Most states also have an income tax, but not all.
If I own property, I’m probably paying some sort of real estate tax to the state xand/or county. If I’m renting, probably not.
If, for example, I’m out of work and move back home with my parents, there may not be a clear government record of where I live. Because of how large the US is, that could be a move of 1000+ miles from my last legal residence (would be for me anyway)
Is there? Never had to register to vote, never had to walk more than a few minutes to the polling place, never had to wait more than a few minutes to cast the vote. These are not unique experiences, but simply what everyone expects in any functional democracy.
When you cast a vote, how do they know you are eligible to vote there? The answer is that you registered at some point, though they may not have called it that
Yes of course, just not in a separate step. Every legal resident is automatically registered to vote.
So if I moved to your town, how would the people at the polls know I was a legal resident?
If you want to migrate here legally, you will have to apply for permanent or temporary residency. You will be registered to vote (insofar as you would be eligible to cast them) as soon as you do.
So the difference in the US is if you move to a different voting area, there’s nothing requiring you to report your location to the government, so they would have no way of knowing that you live there.
Nothing? So you don’t have to, say, pay taxes?
Sure you pay taxes, but that doesnt always include telling the state where you live. Some states dont have income taxes relying instead on property taxes (which only applies if you own a home) and sales taxes (which arent affiliated with an address). Almost all states that have income taxes also have a minimum amount of money you have to make before you need to file taxes. If you work in the home or part time, there’s a decent chance you dont have to file state taxes; they just pull money from your paycheck (if it’s a legitimate job).
Additionally, voting and tax filing are typically 6-ish months apart, so if you’ve moved, the location won’t be accurate.
Depends on to which level of government you are talking about.
If I have a job I’m paying federal income tax. Most states also have an income tax, but not all.
If I own property, I’m probably paying some sort of real estate tax to the state xand/or county. If I’m renting, probably not.
If, for example, I’m out of work and move back home with my parents, there may not be a clear government record of where I live. Because of how large the US is, that could be a move of 1000+ miles from my last legal residence (would be for me anyway)
Right, so the government needs to know the address of most people for taxation purposes.
So then why not register them to vote while they’re at it?
(It’s because they want to suppress the vote.)