HB259 By Representatives Moore (M), Knight, Todd, Hall, Buskey, Bracy, Jackson, Boyd, Howard, Forte, Drummond, Warren, McClammy, Melton, McCampbell, Givan, Robinson, Rogers and Scott RFD Constitution, Campaigns and Elections Rd 1 18-FEB-16

SYNOPSIS: Under existing law, a person must complete a voter registration application in order to register to vote.

This bill would provide for automatic voter registration of qualified persons who apply for or renew a driver's license or nondriver identification card.

This bill would allow a person to opt out who does not want to register to vote.

This bill would also require the Secretary of State to promulgate rules.

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT

Relating to voter registration; to provide for automatic voter registration of qualified persons who apply for or renew a driver's license or nondriver identification card; to allow a person to opt out who does not want to register to vote; and to require the Secretary of State to promulgate rules.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:

Section 1. (a) The Secretary of State, by rule, shall establish a program by which the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency provides to the secretary electronic records derived from the issuance and renewal of drivers' licenses and nondriver identification cards, containing the legal name, age, residence and citizenship information for, and the electronic signature of, each person who meets the qualifications to register to vote as described in Section 17-3-30, Code of Alabama 1975.

(b) Upon receiving the electronic record for, and electronic signature of, a person described in subsection (a), the Secretary of State shall provide the information to the board of registrars of the county in which the person may be registered as an elector. The secretary or board of registrars shall notify each person of the process to decline being registered as an elector.

(c) If a person notified under subsection (b) does not decline to be registered as an elector within 21 calendar days after the Secretary of State or board of registrars issues the notification, the person's electronic record and electronic signature submitted under subsection (a) constitute a completed registration application for the person for purposes of Section 17-3-52, Code of Alabama 1975. If the board determines that the person is qualified to vote under Article 8 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, and under state law and the person is not already registered to vote, the person shall be registered and the board of registrars shall issue a certificate of registration.

(d) A board of registrars may not issue a certificate of registration or add to an elector registration list a person who meets qualification requirements until at least 21 calendar days after the Secretary of State or board of registrars provided notification to the person as described in subsection (b); provided, however, a board may not register a person to vote during the 14-day period prior to any election.

(e) Nothing in this section shall affect the authority of a board of registrars to determine whether an applicant is qualified pursuant to Section 17-3-52, Code of Alabama 1975, or to maintain and update voter registration lists in accordance with Chapter 4, Title 17, Code of Alabama 1975.

(f) The Secretary of State shall adopt rules pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act required to implement this section.

Section 2. This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.

Voter Registration

Voters and Voting

Elections

Drivers' Licenses

Secretary of State

Law Enforcement Agency