Researcher: MHF Page 1 4/14/25
OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 7245
AN ACT CONCERNING A DEADLINE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION
OF AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION PROCESSES AT
CERTAIN STATE AGENCIES.
SUMMARY
Beginning April 1, 2027, this bill subjects the Department of Motor
Vehicles (DMV) and voter registration agencies (see BACKGROUND)
to a penalty for each day they do not provide a statutorily required
electronic system to automatically transmit voter registration
information. (In practice, DMV has already implemented such a system,
but voter registration agencies generally have not.) It also imposes a
similar penalty on voter registration agencies and public higher
education institutions that have not started using these systems by April
1, 2027.
The bill requires that for each day an entity is in noncompliance,
$5,000 of the funds appropriated to it for FY 27 must be transferred to
the secretary of the state’s office. (The bill is silent on who determines
noncompliance or how the funds would be transferred. It is also unclear
if a voter registration agency that is in noncompliance with both
requirements is subject to one or two penalties.)
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2025
BACKGROUND
Automatic Voter Registration
By law, the DMV, voter registration agencies, and public higher
education institutions must use a secretary of the state-approved
electronic system to automatically transmit voter information for
qualified applicants to registrars of voters unless the applicants decline
to apply for admission. The systems must also comply with the National
Voter Registration Act (NVRA; see below). 2025HB-07245-R000695-BA.DOCX
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The DMV commissioner must include a voter registration application
as part of each application for a driver’s license, driver’s license renewal,
or identity card. Additionally, any change of address notice filed with
the DMV must also serve as notice for voter registration purposes until
specifically noted otherwise.
Similarly, voter registration agencies must generally provide, assist
with, and transmit voter registration applications for those the agency
serves or assists. Public higher education institutions are also required
to distribute mail voter registration application forms and assist
individuals using the electronic system.
National Voter Registration Act
The NVRA (P.L. 103-31) generally requires states to offer eligible
citizens the opportunity to register to vote by:
1. applying as part of a driver’s license application or renewal;
2. sending a mail-in application; or
3. applying in person at a designated voter registration agency,
including offices providing public assistance or services to
individuals with disabilities.
The requirements apply to federal elections; however, in practice,
states such as Connecticut have extended the procedures to state and
local elections.
Voter Registration Agencies
The NVRA requires covered states to designate as voter registration
agencies (1) all offices that provide federal or state public assistance, (2)
all offices that provide state-funded programs primarily engaged in
providing services to individuals with disabilities, and (3) Armed Forces
recruitment offices. States must also designate additional voter
registration agencies, which may include (1) state or local offices such as
public libraries or schools, fishing and hunting license bureaus, or
unemployment compensation offices or (2) with their agreement,
federal or nongovernmental offices (52 U.S.C. § 20506). 2025HB-07245-R000695-BA.DOCX
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COMMITTEE ACTION
Government Administration and Elections Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 13 Nay 6 (03/26/2025)