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Bill

HB 565

Voter registration; registration of Department of Motor Vehicles customers, automatic update.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Alex Askew and 2 co-sponsors

HB 565 automatically registers eligible DMV customers to vote in Virginia unless they decline, aiming to expand voter access and registration rates.

Left in Privileges and Elections
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 565

Legislative bill overview

HB 565 would automatically register eligible Virginia citizens to vote when they interact with the Department of Motor Vehicles, unless they opt out. The bill aims to streamline voter registration by leveraging existing DMV data and processes to expand registration accessibility.

Why is this important

Automatic voter registration has been shown to increase registration rates significantly, particularly among younger and minority voters who may face barriers to traditional registration. This could meaningfully expand Virginia's electorate and reduce administrative burden on voters while maintaining election integrity through opt-out provisions.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs and timelines: DMV systems integration requires significant technical infrastructure investment and coordination between agencies, with uncertain timeline and expense estimates
  • Accuracy and data matching concerns: DMV records may contain errors or incomplete information; disputes could arise over whether registrations accurately reflect voter eligibility and residency
  • Philosophical disagreement on opt-in vs. opt-out: Critics argue citizenship verification is insufficient and prefer explicit voter consent; supporters counter that opt-out respects voter autonomy while removing registration barriers

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

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