HB501 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Prince ChestnutRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Voting, automatic voter registration, process established

Summary

HB 501 would automatically register eligible Alabama voters when people apply for, renew, or update a driver’s license or nondriver ID, unless they opt out.

What This Bill Does

It would automatically register voters (or update existing registrations) during driver’s license or nondriver ID transactions, with an attestation of eligibility and a list of required personal information. If the applicant does not opt out, the collected data is sent to the Secretary of State and then to the county boards of registrars to complete the registration or update; if the applicant opts out, only limited data is transmitted and a note of opt-out is recorded. A change of address submitted through the licensing transaction also updates voter records, and the bill includes confidentiality protections and rulemaking authority for implementing these provisions.

Who It Affects

• Applicants for driver’s licenses or nondriver identification cards, who would be automatically registered to vote or have their registration updated unless they opt out.
• The Secretary of State, Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, and county boards of registrars (via license issuing officials), who would handle data collection, transmission, processing of registrations/updates, and enforcement of confidentiality and related rules.

Key Provisions

• Automatic voter registration or update occurs during issuance, renewal, or update of driver’s licenses or nondriver identification cards, with an opt-out option for registering to vote.
• Data collected from the transaction (names, birth date, addresses, signature, last four digits of SSN, etc.) is transmitted to the Secretary of State and then to the appropriate county board of registrars to complete registration or updates; confidentiality, retention policies, and implementing rules are established.

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