SB71 By Senators Coleman-Madison, Singleton, Albritton and Smitherman RFD Constitution, Ethics and Elections Rd 1 02-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 provide for automatic updates in voter registration when a person changes the address on his or her driver's license.

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; and to provide for automatic updates in voter registration when a person changes the address on his or her driver's license.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:

Section 1. (a) The Secretary of State and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency shall establish a program by which the agency provides the secretary with electronic records derived from the issuance and renewal of driver's licenses and nondriver identification cards, containing the legal name, age, residence, and citizenship information for, and the electronic signature of each person for whom a driver's license or nondriver identification is issued or renewed. Notice of the automatic voter registration program shall be provided at every location where driver's licenses and nondriver identification cards are issued or renewed.

(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 person's electronic record and electronic signature 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 to the elector; provided, however, a board may not register a person to vote during the 14-day period prior to any election.

(c) If an elector changes his or her address when renewing a driver's license, the new address shall be provided to the appropriate board of registrars and a new certificate of registration shall be issued to the elector, if appropriate.

(d) Nothing in this section shall affect the authority of the Secretary of State or 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.

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