Elections: voter registration.

Existing law, the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993, requires a state to establish procedures to register a person to vote by application made simultaneously with an application for a motor vehicle driver's license, by mail application, and by application in person at a registration site or designated voter registration agency. With respect to an application made simultaneously with an application for a motor vehicle driver's license, the federal act requires the motor vehicle driver's license application to serve as an application for voter registration with respect to an election for federal office, unless the applicant fails to sign the application, and requires the application to be considered as updating the applicant's previous voter registration, if any. The federal act defines "motor vehicle driver's license" to include any personal identification document issued by a state motor vehicle authority. Under existing state law, a person qualified to vote may only register to vote by completing an affidavit of registration. Existing state law establishes procedures for a person to register to vote by mail or by application in person at a registration site or office of a designated voter registration agency. Existing state law also requires a properly executed affidavit of registration to be deemed effective upon receipt of the affidavit by the county elections official if the affidavit is submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles on or before the 15th day before the election. This bill would require an application for a new or renewed California driver's license, instruction permit, junior permit, or identification card to contain an affidavit of registration and other specified information. The bill would require the Department of Motor Vehicles to confer with the Secretary of State and develop applications that are in compliance with these provisions and the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993. The bill would permit a person to apply to register to vote by completing the affidavit of registration portion of the application and require the Department of Motor Vehicles to transmit an electronic copy of the completed application to county elections officials, as specified. The bill would make its provisions operative on the date the Department of Motor Vehicles certifies to the Secretary of State that it has an automated application process, as specified. Because the bill would require elections officials to provide a higher level of service, it would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.