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Bill

LC 1396

Provide for automatic voter registration for eligible electors

2025 Regular Session

Automatically registers eligible electors when they interact with state agencies, unless they opt out; expands voter rolls but the bill died in process.

(LC) Draft Died in Process
#elections(seealso:ballotissues)
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · LC 1396

LC 1396 — Provide for automatic voter registration for eligible electors

Overview

LC 1396 is a bill aimed at establishing automatic voter registration for eligible electors. The legislative status indicates it is a draft, currently not enacted. The bill was introduced on November 14, 2024, and has experienced multiple stalling actions. As of May 26, 2025, the draft is recorded as “Died in Process,” indicating it did not advance through the legislative process during that session. The bill is categorized under Elections.

Purpose and Intent

  • The title states the bill’s objective: to automatically register eligible electors to vote.
  • Automatic voter registration (AVR) generally seeks to streamline and broaden the voter registration process by registering individuals when they interact with certain state agencies (commonly the motor vehicle department or similar agencies), subject to eligibility and opt-out options. While the exact text of LC 1396 is not provided here, the bill’s stated aim aligns with AVR policy goals: increasing registration rates, simplifying participation, and maintaining up-to-date voter rolls.

Status and Legislative History

  • Introduced: November 14, 2024.
  • 2024-11-14: Draft On Hold; Drafter Assigned – indicates the bill was at the drafting stage and awaiting further action.
  • 2025-05-26: Draft Died in Process – the bill did not progress and was not enacted in its current form.
  • Overall status: Draft, with no further action moving forward in the recorded session(s).

Key Provisions (Based on the bill’s title; text not provided)

Note: The exact provisions are not stated in the information provided. If enacted, AVR bills typically include:
- Definitions of “eligible elector,” and the data sources (e.g., state agency records) to be used for registration.
- Automatic registration at points of contact with designated agencies (often the DMV) unless the individual opts out.
- Opt-out mechanisms and notice requirements to inform individuals of registration and how to decline.
- Procedures for verifying eligibility (citizenship, age, residency) and handling duplicate registrations.
- Privacy and data-security protections for voter information.
- Roles and responsibilities of election officials and agencies, plus any required interagency data-sharing agreements.
- Funding, implementation timelines, and compliance deadlines.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Eligible electors: Potentially registered automatically, subject to opt-out.
  • Voters who prefer not to be registered or who wish to control their participation: would retain opt-out rights.
  • State election authorities and designated participating agencies: responsible for implementing AVR processes, data transfers, and compliance.
  • Taxpayers and government agencies: AVR programs often require initial investment in IT systems, audits, and ongoing administration.

Timeline and Procedural Notes

  • The bill’s journey appears to have stalled during the 2024-2025 cycle, with “On Hold” status followed by “Died in Process.” No enactment occurred based on the provided actions.
  • Future consideration would require reintroduction, potential amendments, and passage through the usual legislative stages.

Potential Implications

  • Pros: Expanded voter registration, improved accuracy of voter rolls, easier access to participation for eligible residents.
  • Cons: Privacy concerns, potential costs of system upgrades, administrative burden on agencies, and the need for clear opt-out and notification processes.

If you’d like, I can format this into a concise fact sheet or expand into a side-by-side comparison with other AVR proposals.

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

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