The bill proposes amendments to Section 17-9.1-7 of the General Laws, which pertains to voter registration at the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). It requires the DMV to register eligible individuals applying for a driver's license, a renewal, or an identification document, or to update their voting address. The DMV must transmit the applicant's information to the statewide voter registration system by the next business day. Applicants will receive a notice of their registration or address update and have 14 days to decline; otherwise, their information will be processed. The bill also allows the DMV to provide voter registration opportunities to applicants who do not present documents that conclusively prove U.S. citizenship and ensures the confidentiality of the information provided.

The bill outlines that the DMV must electronically send completed voter registration applications to the central voter registration system by the next business day. It presumes registration from the date of acceptance, subject to local board verification, and prohibits transmission for applicants who do not certify U.S. citizenship or show non-citizenship. Other agencies collecting eligibility documents may adopt similar automatic voter registration procedures. The bill sets a deadline of January 1, 2026, for the DMV to certify its computer system's capability to comply with these requirements. It also excludes applicants for a driver privilege card or permit from voter registration opportunities. The act would be effective upon passage.

Statutes affected:
2654  SUB A: 17-9.1-7
2654: 17-9.1-7