Should People be Automatically Registered to Vote at the DMV? (H.R. 2840)
Do you support or oppose this bill?
What is H.R. 2840?
(Updated April 30, 2019)
This bill would require state motor vehicle authorities (MVAs) to transmit certain identifying information of an individual requesting MVA services to the appropriate state election official so that the individual can be automatically registered to vote.
State election officials would then be directed to notify the individual that unless they opt out within 21 calendar days of the notice, they will be automatically registered to vote unless:
The official determines that the individual does not meet voter registration eligibility requirements;
The individual is already registered to vote.
A state may not use any identifying information regarding an individual’s citizenship status for any purpose other than determining whether the individual is eligible to vote in federal elections.
Argument in favor
Automatically registering eligible voters when they visit a DMV makes the registration process effortless for voters, which in turn will increase turnout.
Argument opposed
Americans who want to vote are perfectly capable of registering to vote on their own. States don't need to do it for them whenever they go to the DMV.
Impact
All Americans who visit a state MVA and would be automatically registered to vote, state motor vehicle authorities, and state election officials.
Cost of H.R. 2840
A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.
Additional Info
In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) introduced this bill to significantly increase the number of registered voters by requiring states to automatically register eligible voters unless the voter opts out. He offered the following statement when introducing this bill's predecessor:
“Today, too many politicians are trying to make it harder than ever for citizens to make their voices heard at the ballot box. The Automatic Voter Registration Act will protect the right to vote and expand access for eligible voters across the United States. I thank my colleagues who have co-sponsored this important legislation that helps to expand one of our most essential rights as Americans.”
Currently this bill has 119 cosponsors in the House, all of whom are Democrats.
Of Note: Numerous states have considered legislation or ballot measures that would lead to voters being registered automatically, but so far only two have passed and implemented automatic voter registration — California and Oregon.
Media:
- Sponsoring Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) Press Release (Previous Version)
- The Hill (Previous Version)
- Huffington Post (Previous Version)
- MSNBC
- Brennan Center for Justice (Context)
- ThinkProgress (In Favor)
- National Conference of State Legislatures (Context - PDF)
(Photo Credit: Kameleon007 / iStock)
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