Automatically pre-register/register Minnesota residents to vote when they receive their driver’s license

 

The purpose of this bill is to get Minnesota residents to be automatically pre-registered/registered to vote in the next

election once they receive their driver’s license if the individual is not pre-registered/registered to vote yet. It is

important to get as many people to be able to vote and help ensure civic duties are done in this country.

 

People should be automatically pre-registered/registered to vote once they get their drivers license because it makes

the democratic process more accessible and efficient. This system can ensure that U.S Citizens are added to voter rolls

with less confusion, paperwork and avoiding the barriers that can be faced while registering. Since people already have

to provide their proof of age with their ID, their citizenship, and their residency when they are at the Department of

Motor Vehicles (DMV), this process aligns with the requirements with voter registrations and this can also help keep

voter records accurate and up to date. Ultimately, this policy can strengthen democracy with the increased voter

turnouts, and allow every eligible voter to have an equal opportunity to vote.

 

1) Department of Vehicles - A government agency responsible for administering motor vehicle-related services like

driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations.

2) Pre-registered to vote - Permit citizens younger than 18 to pre-register to vote, although they still cannot vote

until they turn 18 years old.

3) Registered to vote - Allows citizens who are the age of 18 or older to be able to vote in the next available

election.

4) Voter Rolls - Voter registration lists. A list of registered voters who can vote in an upcoming election within a

particular jurisdiction. Maintained by local and state governments.

 

Funding for this bill will be granted a portion from the General Fund for one year for implementation, then smaller

annual amounts for maintenance. These funds will help cover the cost of technology upgrades and data system integration

required for the automatic registration policy.

 

If a DMV fails to collect voter registration information properly, they will receive an investigation by the state and

will be issued a formal notice of noncompliance within 30 days.

If continued to fail to comply after 30 days of the formal notice of noncompliance, penalties will result in suspension

of the office manager, reduction of state operational funding, and required retraining of the entire staff.

 

This bill will go into effect on January 1st, 2027.