MOTOR-VOTER RESULTS

The Aug. 6 primary may prove to be a real test of the much-heralded motor-voter push throughout Missouri. There is no doubt thousands of new voters have been registered as they applied for food stamps, dealt with a motor-vehicle office or visited an unemployment office. But what's the benefit of registering thousands of voters who never intend to vote?

A recent study revealed that of the 58,000 new registrants between Jan. 1, 1995, and this past April only 2,708 cast ballots in the April elections. That is dismal. This represents a 4.7 percent turnout among those motor-voter registrants, which is much lower than the normal 15 to 20 percent turnout in April.

Missouri needs voters who are informed about the issues. Voter registration should require some effort on a citizen's part to ensure he or she wants to become an active participant in the process. Otherwise, a person is just going through the motions of registering with no real interest in participatory government.

Another recent survey of county clerks in Missouri's 38 most populous counties revealed mixed reviews on the motor-voter law, which took effect Jan. 1, 1995. Many county clerks were decidedly less than enthusiastic. A number of clerks criticized motor-voter as cumbersome. Difficulties in reading handwritten forms, problems in contacting registrants and unreasonable deadlines were common complaints.

Why should Missourians care?

For one thing, the state has invested considerable money and time into this motor-voter effort. All these resources haven't resulted in a significant increase in the number of ballots cast, which is the figure that really matters. Registering people who never plan to vote is a waste of time and money.

Motor voter isn't working because it isn't needed.

On their own, county clerks across Missouri -- and the country -- had already extended voter registration efforts to schools, shopping malls and other commercial areas. People who wanted to register but couldn't make it down to the courthouse were reached through these efforts.

Motor voter will one day fizzle on its own from lack of results. Until then, valuable state resources will be wasted on a needless effort.