SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5633

BYSenator DeJarnatt; by request of Secretary of State

Enhancing proper voter registration.

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 17, 1987

Senate Staff:Walt Corneille (786-7452); Sam Thompson (786-7754)

AS OF FEBRUARY 20, 1987

BACKGROUND:

No statutory procedure currently exists to inform citizens about the process of voter registration or voter registration transfers.  A considerable percentage of the eligible population is not registered to vote or have not properly updated their voter registration.

It has been suggested that if the general population were better informed about the voter registration process, the percentage of eligible voters registered would increase substantially.

SUMMARY:

Before August 1, 1987 the Secretary of State must publish and mail to each residence in the state a voter registration information packet.  The packet must include instructions on how and where to register to vote or transfer outdated registrations.  The packet must also include a form or forms for voter registration and registration transfer.

Registration may be completed by filling out the form contained in the packet and taking it to any deputy registrar to be executed and signed in his or her presence.  The deputy registrar then must transmit to the county auditor, at least every week, any transfer or new registration forms.  The auditor will enter the information into the automated voter registration system and inform the appropriate county of any transfers.

The Secretary of State is required to inform the public, through both print and broadcast media, of the voter registration packet before mailing.  After mailing, and in the same manner, citizens are to be actively encouraged to register or, if appropriate, transfer their registration.

The Secretary of State must adopt rules to facilitate this process and may provide by rule for a single form to accomplish both a new registration or a transfer.

Fiscal Note:      requested

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.