HB438 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Prince ChestnutRepresentative

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Anthony DanielsJeremy GraySam JonesKelvin LawrenceTaShina Morris

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Voting, automatic voter registration, process established

Summary

HB438 would automatically register or update voters when people obtain or renew a driver's license or nondriver ID, unless they opt out, and it sets rules for collecting and protecting the information.

What This Bill Does

During a driver's license or nondriver ID transaction, the issuing official collects required personal data and, unless the applicant opts out, automatically registers them to vote or updates their registration. The Secretary of State forwards the information to the county board of registrars to complete the registration or update. If the applicant opts out, a subset of data is sent to the Secretary of State with a note of the opt-out. The process also treats a change of address in the license transaction as a voter address change, and it allows cancellation of previous registrations in other counties or states when updating.

Who It Affects

• Alabama residents applying for or renewing a driver's license or nondriver ID, who would be automatically registered to vote or have their registration updated unless they opt out.
• Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency and license issuing officials, who must collect data, obtain consent, and forward information under the program.
• Secretary of State and county boards of registrars, who process automatic registrations or updates and maintain voter data confidentiality.
• Individuals already registered in other counties or states, whose prior registrations could be canceled when they are updated under this section.

Key Provisions

• Automatic voter registration or update occurs with driver's license or nondriver ID transactions; a list of required data items is collected.
• Opt-out option allows individuals to decline registration; in that case a defined subset of data is transmitted with an opt-out notation.
• Data collected includes full name, date of birth, addresses, signature, last 4 digits of SSN, and other items determined by rule; applicant attestation of eligibility is required.
• Information is forwarded to the Secretary of State within five days and then to the county boards of registrars within five days after receipt.
• An address change on a license transaction also updates voter registration; changes may cancel prior registrations in other counties or states.
• Unsigned voter registration applications are retained under a policy (minimum four years) and are managed by the Secretary of State.
• Information collected is not a public record and confidentiality procedures will be established by the Secretary of State.
• The act does not require or authorize officials to determine voter eligibility; rules may be adopted by the Secretary of State and the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after its passage and approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Voter Registration