Legislation that would automatically register Delawareans to vote when they go to a Division of Motor Vehicles facility took another step toward passage Tuesday. With lawmakers back in business after a brief two-week break, the House Administration Committee voted on party lines to release Senate Bill 5 to the full chamber. The proposal, which passed the Senate solely on Democratic support last month, would streamline and codify the existing process by which citizens can put their names on the state’s voter rolls at the DMV. Essentially, it would change an opt-in system to an opt-out one. Under the proposal, an unregistered eligible adult who provides proof of citizenship to the DMV while there for motor vehicle services would be signed up to vote. Any name or address change identified during the process would be automatically forwarded to the Department of Elections, enabling voter rolls to be updated with a minimum of fuss.
- So do dead people get purged? — Tom Small
- They always have been. — Jaden Blondin
- And you don’t have to be a citizen to get a driver’s license in Delaware? — Kathi Adronene
- Actually, yes, you do have to be a citizen and resident of Delaware to get a Delaware driver’s license. Just use Google next time. — Victoria Holt
- I thought the law was changed to allow driver privilege cards, which are issued to illegal immigrants and are considered a legal driver’s license within the state of Delaware. So will these cardholders be registered to vote? — James Elocin
- This is Delaware’s way to pack the ballot box. Every citizen over the age of 18 has a right to vote. I do think that you should have to put in a little effort to do so. — Kevin McCarthy
- They already do this! — Rebecca Cebenka Welch
- No, they ask if you would like to be registered if you’re not already registered when you go. — Dominique Mathis
- Love how people are angry that they will be automatically registered to vote. Oh, wait. They are angry that Blacks, Latino/a/x and other non-Caucasians will be registered to vote. — John Smith
- They’re really trying to make sure they don’t lose power now. Don’t vote. That’s OK. The Democratic Party will vote for you. — Brady Allen
