Texas House Bill HB111

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to automatic voter registration on issuance or change of a driver's license or identification card by the Department of Public Safety.

Impact

If passed, HB111 would significantly affect the Election Code by mandating that the voter registrar automatically registers any eligible county resident who engages in transactions with the DPS related to driver's licenses or personal identification cards. This automatic process is projected to increase voter registration rates, making it easier for Texas residents to participate in elections without the need for separate voter registration applications, unless they explicitly opt out of voter registration during the process.

Summary

House Bill 111 focuses on streamlining the voter registration process by implementing automatic voter registration whenever individuals apply for or update their Texas driver's license or personal identification card through the Department of Public Safety (DPS). Under the proposed changes, the bill would require the DPS to register eligible residents automatically when they acquire or amend their identification documents, which aims to simplify and facilitate voter participation in elections across Texas.

Contention

Debate surrounding HB111 could potentially highlight concerns regarding voter eligibility verification and the security of the voter registration process. Proponents of the bill are likely to argue that the new provisions promote civic engagement and accessibility in voting, while critics might raise questions about ensuring that only eligible voters are registered and the potential for inaccuracies during automatic updates. Overall, the bill aims to balance efficiency and accessibility in Texas's electoral systems while addressing any associated risks.