Texas House Bill HB3327

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to automatic voter registration of students enrolled in public institutions of higher education.

Impact

If enacted, HB3327 would amend the Election Code to designate institutions of higher education as voter registration agencies. This would enable universities and colleges to handle voter registration for their students, potentially increasing voter participation rates among young people. The bill is seen as a proactive measure to engage a demographic that historically has lower voter turnout compared to other age groups.

Summary

House Bill 3327 relates to the automatic voter registration of students enrolled in public institutions of higher education in Texas. The bill mandates that the voter registrar in each county automatically register any county resident eligible to vote who is enrolled in a qualified higher education institution. It seeks to streamline the voter registration process and increase the number of registered student voters by utilizing the enrollment process at these institutions as a means of registration.

Contention

While proponents of HB3327 argue that automatic voter registration will facilitate civic engagement and ensure that more students can participate in the electoral process, there may be opposition based on concerns regarding the security and privacy of students' information. Critics may worry about the implications of automatically registering students who may not be aware or in agreement with their registration. Additionally, the requirement for institutions to adopt specific procedures and forms can also be a point of contention, raising questions about implementation and resource allocation.