Proposed Regulations:  National Voter Registration Application does not specify the felony and mental competency questions, and we are required to accept that form; therefore, I can see where SBE is coming from on that issue.  I do see a lot of denials because registrants skip one of the questions and answer no to having their rights restored instead of answering the questions themselves.  Majority are from DMV.  My Commonwealth's Attorney will not attempt any investigation for false statements on applicants using the National Application because the felony question is not specified.  Regarding the absence of a signature from an applicant with physical disabilities, I don't think it unreasonable to think at some point someone would be available to enter their information as a witness.  If the applicant electronically enters and prints out the application, someone is going to have to get it in an envelope and mail it. Instructions for signature requirement are confusing.  I do not have a problem giving leeway on the middle name if other identifying information is on the application.  With heightened awareness on scam phone calls, trying to obtain information for fraudulent means, I do not call my applicants.

New Voter Registration Application:  The final application needs to remain consisent with the size from the last 50 years and the "For Office Use Only"  needs to remain on the back.  Our file cabinets were purchased and maintained for the approximately 8" x 5" applications and even DMV has made allowances over the years to keep it sized correctly height wise even if we have to trim off the sides.  We may be considered old fashioned to like having a hard copy in locking file cabinets, but many of us remember VERIS being unavailable for weeks due to VITA outage and know electronic scanning isn't going to answer all our issues. There are many times I have been able to answer a voter's question by going to the file cabinet before we can get the computer and VERIS unlocked and operational.  If the blue tint is part of the planned new application it needs to go away.  Most voters are not going to waste color ink, and the light gray when printed in black and white makes it difficult to read the application. There is a lot of wasted space on the new planned application.  Items 3 and 4 are least important and not required information, but they are given prominence.  Item 6 for previous voter registration information needs to be moved to a detachable part of the application.  We are required by law to send it to other states. Making copies of  the entire application will be costly, not just for paper but postage as well. I have had 20 or more cancellations going to neighboring states at one time.   To save the state money, just have the application in plain black and white (like DMV).  The current red is nice but expensive.