Starkville High School AP Government Class of 2019 Motor Voter Act; create to establish the procedure for the automatic registration of.
The legislation amends several sections of the Mississippi Code to align existing voter registration procedures with the new stipulations outlined in the act. It requires the Department of Public Safety to collect specific information from applicants, such as their full name, date of birth, and residence address, which will be sent to the Secretary of State for processing. This could lead to an increase in voter registration numbers as it effectively removes some of the barriers that individuals may face when registering to vote.
House Bill 635, known as the 'Starkville High School AP Government Class of 2019 Motor Voter Act,' establishes a new process for voter registration in Mississippi. Under this act, individuals who are eligible to register to vote can do so simultaneously while applying for or renewing their driver's license or state-issued identification card. This aims to streamline the voter registration process, making it easier for residents to register as they go about their daily activities, such as obtaining necessary identification for driving purposes.
Despite the intended benefits, there may be concerns about the implications of merging voter registration with the issuance of driver's licenses. Critics of the act might argue that it could lead to errors in voter registration data or privacy concerns regarding the handling of personal information. Additionally, there may be skepticism about whether the opt-out procedure for those who do not wish to register at that time is adequately communicated to applicants. Overall, this bill represents a significant shift in how voter registration is approached in the state.