Looking at voter registration and voter turnout in various neighborhoods of Dorchester can be shocking. In Ward 15, 35 percent of registered voters have not voted once in the past six years. In an effort to improve registration and turnout, local activists have created a coalition called DotTheVote. This coalition already includes US Sen. Edward Markey, Attorney General Maura Healy, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins, eleven neighborhood organizations and labor unions, district City Councillors Andrea Campbell and Frank Baker and all of the at-large councillors and, importantly, state Sen. Nick Collins and state Rep. Liz Miranda. And the list continues to grow daily.

Passing Election Day Registration (EDR) is strongly endorsed by the DotTheVote coalition. For voters, it is a crucial reform for 2020 that is now being considered by the Legislature for implementation that would make us the 22nd state to introduce this measure. Which raises the rhetorical question: Why weren’t we first? Maine and Minnesota introduced it 40 years ago!

In 2018 EDR allowed 50,000 eligible voters to vote in New Hampshire. The Massachusetts Senate has passed an EDR bill twice already. What is up with the House? EDR will modernize voter registration and make registration more cost-effective, accurate, and secure. Sen. Collins and Reps. Liz Miranda and Russell Holms are co-sponsors of the bill.

Here is how it would work:

• Accuracy and security: Massachusetts has joined the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), a national clearinghouse that collects registration information and compares it with that of other state and federal databases to assure accuracy and security of voting lists. All election officials at each polling place will have access to the statewide list of registered voters in the central registry.

Here is how it would work in other regards:

• Guaranteed right to participate in our elections: No one should be disenfranchised for moving to another residence close to election day. Seniors, young people, veterans, renters, low-income people and young families are all likely to move, and their political voice matters. Media coverage intensifies about an election in the final month. When voters are most likely to be learning about an election, they could find out that they aren’t able to participate. EDR changes that.

• Proof of residency: Eligible Massachusetts citizens must provide proof of residency when they register or soon after – a current driver’s license or ID card suffices, or documentation of residence such as a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, a paycheck, or a lease agreement – and make a written oath attesting to their citizenship. In addition to allowing voters to register to vote, they will be able to fix errors in their registration. Importantly, EDR will reduce human error associated with paper forms, help eliminate duplicate records, cut down on provisional ballots, and ensure that those who move and have not yet updated their records are not denied the right to participate in our democracy.

Democracy is on all of our minds in 2020. John Dewey, the twentieth century American philosopher, said, “The solution to the problems of democracy is more democracy.” Passing Election Day Registration is a one of the best ways for us to strengthen our democracy right here in Massachusetts and expand voting rights.

“Dorchester’s voice is Dorchester’s vote” is the motto of DotTheVote. It captures the notion that every vote counts. Everyone who is interested in or that we want to be interested in,our neighborhood has one thing in common: they can count. Woody Allen said, “80 percent of success is just showing up.” The ballot box is where the community’s voice is heard. Even if a candidate or cause fails to win, Dorchester wins when there is a good turnout. The ultimate goal of DotTheVote and Election Day Registration is community empowerment for “We the people.”

Edward Cook, a Dorchester resident, is the campaign manager of DotTheVote.