Substitute House Bill No. 7245 seeks to enhance the automatic voter registration (AVR) process in Connecticut by establishing a deadline for implementation at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and other designated agencies. The bill mandates that the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles include a voter registration application with every application for a driver's license or identity card, with the application needing approval from the Secretary of the State and not requiring witnessing. It also introduces an electronic system for processing voter registration applications, which must be operational by March 31, 2027, or the DMV will face a penalty of $5,000 per day until compliance is achieved. The bill further streamlines the process by allowing change of address forms submitted to the DMV to serve as notifications for voter registration changes.

Additionally, the bill expands the definition of voter registration agencies to include public libraries, schools, and other entities, ensuring broader access to voter registration services. It requires these agencies to assist applicants and transmit completed applications to registrars of voters, while also mandating public higher education institutions to distribute mail voter registration application forms. The bill repeals and replaces several sections of the general statutes to incorporate these new requirements, aiming to improve the efficiency and accessibility of voter registration in Connecticut. The effective date for these provisions is set for October 1, 2025, allowing time for necessary adjustments before the compliance deadline in 2027.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 9-19i, 9-23n, 9-23o, 9-23p
GAE Joint Favorable: 9-19i, 9-23n, 9-23o, 9-23p
File No. 695: 9-19i, 9-23n, 9-23o, 9-23p