HB79 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Laura HallRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Voter registration, automatic, authorized

Summary

HB79 would automatically register eligible Alabama residents to vote when they apply for or renew a driver's license or nondriver ID, and would update registrations when addresses change.

What This Bill Does

HB79 creates an automatic voter registration program using information from driver's license and nondriver ID applications and renewals. People who are at least 17 years and 6 months old when they apply or renew would have their electronic records sent to county registrars. If they are eligible to vote and not already registered, they would be registered and receive a certificate, except registration could be delayed for those under 18 until they turn 18, and no registration could occur in the 14 days before an election. If a person changes their address on renewal, the new address would be sent to registrars to update registration and issue a new certificate if appropriate, and notices about the program would be posted at license/ID offices.

Who It Affects

• People applying for or renewing driver's licenses or nondriver identification cards who are at least 17 years 6 months old may be automatically registered to vote if eligible and not already registered.
• People who update their address on renewal will have their new address sent to the county boards of registrars to update registration (and may receive a new certificate); individuals under 18 may have registration delayed until they turn 18.

Key Provisions

• Establishes a program with the Secretary of State and the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency to share electronic records from license issuance and renewal for automatic voter registration.
• Records sent include name, age, residence, citizenship information, and electronic signature for individuals who are 17 years 6 months or older when seeking or renewing a driver's license or nondriver ID.
• Automatic registration occurs if the person is qualified to vote under the Alabama Constitution and state law and is not already registered; there is a prohibition on registering within 14 days prior to an election, and those under 18 may have registration delayed until they turn 18.
• If an address is changed during license renewal, the new address is provided to the boards of registrars to update registration and issue a new certificate if appropriate.
• Notice of the automatic registration program must be posted at all locations where licenses and nondriver IDs are issued or renewed.
• The act preserves the authority of the Secretary of State and boards of registrars to determine voter qualification and to maintain and update voter registration lists, and it specifies the effective date as the first day of the third month after legislative approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Voter Registration