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Bill

HB 2037

automatic voter registration

57th Legislature - Second Regular Session Introduced by Stacey Travers

Automatic voter registration occurs when applying or renewing driver licenses or updating info, with a 21-day opt-out and NVRA-compliant data transfers.

House First Reading.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2037

Summary of HB 2037 (Arizona, 57th-2nd Regular Session)

Purpose

  • Establish automatic voter registration (AVR) for individuals applying for or renewing driver licenses or nonoperating identification licenses, and for those making changes to license information.
  • Integrate voter registration with the driver license process to streamline eligibility checks and reduce duplicate registrations, while preserving voter confidentiality and compliance with federal law.

Key Provisions

  • Automatic Registration at DMV/OTP

    • When a person applies for or renews a driver license, including nonoperating identification licenses, or makes changes to license information, they shall be registered to vote automatically if otherwise eligible.
    • A registration form is provided for license renewals by mail or changes by mail, and the registration occurs upon completion of the form and receipt by the county recorder as prescribed.

  • Presumption of Proper Registration

    • If the applicant completes the process and does not decline within 21 calendar days after notice of the process to decline, the applicant is presumed to be properly registered to vote, provided they are otherwise eligible.
    • This presumption can be rebutted as provided by existing statute (section 16-121.01).

  • Interagency Coordination and Rules

    • The Director of the Department of Transportation (ADOT) and the Secretary of State must consult at least every two years regarding voter registration at driver license offices.
    • They, with county recorders, must adopt rules to implement AVR at license offices, including:
    • Conforming license and voter registration forms to be substantially similar.
    • Enabling transfer of driver license information and voter registration data to voter rolls.
    • Respecting confidentiality rules for driver license information.
    • Providing for manual or electronic generation and transmission of voter registrations and electronic updates to registration data, in line with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).

  • Applicant Information and Notices

    • ADOT must provide applicants with a statement detailing:
    • All eligibility requirements to vote (including citizenship).
    • An attestation signed under penalty of perjury that the applicant meets each requirement.
    • Penalties for false registration.
    • Confidentiality assurances: information about declined registration remains confidential and used only for voter registration purposes.
    • Confidentiality of offices where registrations are processed if the applicant registers.

  • Transmission and Processing of Registrations

    • ADOT shall return or mail completed registrations to the applicable county recorder within five days of receiving a completed registration.

  • False Registration Protections

    • A person who is not qualified to register but unknowingly registers under AVR is not guilty of false registration or false swearing under existing statutes.

Who Is Affected

  • Arizona residents applying for or renewing driver licenses or nonoperating identification licenses.
  • Individuals making changes to license information (e.g., address changes) at DMV offices.
  • County recorders who administer voter registration rolls.
  • Agencies including the Department of Transportation (ADOT) and the Secretary of State, which will implement and oversee AVR rules and procedures.

Effective Date and Timeline

  • Effective Date: December 31, 2026.
  • Implementation includes rulemaking and coordination between ADOT, the Secretary of State, and county recorders, with at least biennial consultations.

Notable Implications

  • Potential increase in automatic voter registrations linked to the DMV process, with a 21-day opting-out window.
  • Emphasizes confidentiality of both registration and non-registration actions.
  • Adds procedural requirements for cross-agency data transfer and NVRA-compliant transmission of registration information.
  • Provides a safety valve for inadvertent non-eligible registrations (no false registration penalties in such cases).

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current Arizona voter registration procedures or a plain-language FAQ for voters.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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