Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that requires automatically registering someone to vote if they receive a driver's license or identification card.

Highlights:

• Defines "qualified applicant" as a person who qualifies to register as a voter by law (Sec. 3.c).

• Prohibits applications for an identification card or driver's license from being processed until the applicant completes the portion of the application related to voter registration, including change in name or address, indicates the applicant's choice of whether to register to vote, or, if already registered to vote, is offered the opportunity to decline to change the applicant's voter registration information (Sec. 1.b).

• Establishes a qualified applicant for a new or renewed motor vehicle driver's license will automatically be registered to vote with the clerk of the appropriate county upon completion of the driver's license application and application for voter registration if the qualified applicant makes a choice to register to vote on the application form (Sec. 2.a).

• Requires the examiner of drivers to examine every applicant for a driver's license, except as otherwise provided in this part. The examination will include a test of (Sec. 4.a):

• The applicant's eyesight and any further physical examination that the examiner of drivers finds necessary to determine the applicant's fitness to operate a motor vehicle safely upon the highways;

• The applicant's ability to understand highway signs regulating, warning, and directing traffic;

• The applicant's knowledge of the rules of the road based on the traffic laws of the State and the traffic ordinances of the county where the applicant resides or intends to operate a motor vehicle; provided that the examination specifically tests the applicant's knowledge; and

• The actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle.

• Requires every application for an instruction permit, provisional license, driver's license, limited purpose driver's license, limited purpose provisional driver's license, or limited purpose instruction permit shall be made upon a form furnished by the examiner of drivers and shall be verified by the applicant before a person authorized to administer oaths (Sec. 5.a).

• Specifies if the applicant is not eligible to receive a social security number, the applicant shall submit, in lieu of providing proof of social security number (Sec. 5.e):

• A United States Social Security Administration letter stating that the applicant is ineligible to obtain a social security number; and

• Either:

• A government-issued photo identification document; or

• Other identification documents as deemed acceptable by the director.

• Requires an application to contain the following information (Sec. 6.c):

• Name and complete address, including the number and street name, of the applicant's permanent residence;

• The applicant's occupation and any pertinent data relating thereto;

• The applicant's citizenship status;

• The applicant's veteran status if applicable and desired by the applicant;

• The applicant's date and place of birth;

• General description of the applicant, including the applicant's gender designation, height, weight, hair color, and eye color;

• The applicant's left and right index fingerprints or, if clear impressions cannot be obtained, other identifying imprints as specified by rules of the director;

• The social security number of the applicant; and

• A digitized frontal photograph of the applicant's full face.

• Establishes all information and records acquired by the examiner of drivers under this part will be confidential; provided that the examiner may transmit voter registration information as required (Sec. 7.a).

Full Bill Text