Virginia21 applauds the Department of Elections and the State Board of Elections’ efforts to simplify the voter registration form.

As a young voter advocacy organization, we register thousands of students on college campuses around the Commonwealth every year.

Common sense changes to the voter registration form will help to ensure that more eligible voters successfully register. Specifically, removing the question "Will you be at least 18 years of age on or before the next General Election day?" makes sense. The instructions on the registration form clearly state the age eligibility criteria. Additionally, applicants are required to fill in their date of birth and the Department of Elections has the ability to confirm that information on its own.

We thank the Department of Elections and its Board for reviewing the voter registration process and receiving public comment. We hope members of the Board will adopt revisions that make registering to vote easier for eligible voters.