Legislation sponsored by California Secretary of State Alex Padilla to modernize California’s motor voter registration system was approved by the State Legislature on Sept. 11.
AB 1461 is jointly authored by Assemblymembers Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), Luis Alejo (D-Salinas) and Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento). The proposed law is now headed to Gov. Jerry Brown.
The California New Motor Voter Act would register every eligible citizen who goes to a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office to get a driver’s license or renew one, potentially adding millions of new registered voters to California’s voter rolls.
“We must take action to improve the record low voter turnout in recent California elections,” Padilla said. “Democracy is stronger when more citizens can vote. Unfortunately, more than 6.6 million California citizens are eligible but un-registered to vote. The New Motor Voter Act would make voter registration a more efficient, modern process for millions of California citizens.”
“Citizens are currently required to opt-in to their fundamental right to vote through registration,” Padilla added. “We do not have to opt-in to other rights, such as free speech or due process. The right to vote should be no different.”
California citizens who are identified as eligible voters when visiting the DMV to apply for, renew or change their address on a driver’s license would be registered to vote by the Secretary of State’s office.
Voters would retain their right to opt out or cancel their voter registration at any time, as well as change their party affiliation. The proposed law would continue to protect those covered by existing confidentiality policies, such as victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.
“Nothing is more fundamental to a strong democracy than ensuring people have access to voting free from unnecessary barriers,” Gonzalez said. “We’ve seen turnout plummet in recent years as our voting system has fallen behind the times, but the New Motor Voter Act allows us the opportunity to streamline and modernize the registration process for millions of eligible voters who haven’t been a part of our voting system.”
