This bill amends Section 17-9.1-7 of the General Laws to improve the voter registration process at the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and other agencies. It requires the DMV to register to vote or update the voting address of every eligible U.S. citizen applying for services such as a driver's license, license renewal, or change of address. The DMV must electronically transmit the applicant's information to the statewide voter registration system by the next business day. Applicants will be notified by mail of their registration and given information on how to decline or update their party affiliation. If no action is taken within 14 days, their registration will be processed. The bill includes insertions regarding the DMV's responsibilities, the confidentiality of information, and coordination with the secretary of state, and a deletion that changes the language from allowing applicants to "decline to" register to enabling them to "certify their United States citizenship and choose to" register.

Furthermore, the bill allows other agencies that collect eligibility documents to adopt the DMV's automatic voter registration procedures, including verifying citizenship through database matching. It enables the registration of multiple individuals through a single application, with each person receiving a notice. The bill includes a deletion of a reference to the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 and an insertion that prohibits the DMV from offering voter registration to applicants for a driver privilege card or permit. The bill will take effect thirty days after the DMV administrator certifies the capability of the RIMS computer system to comply with the act's requirements and will be enacted upon passage.

Statutes affected:
7393: 17-9.1-7