Texas Senate Bill SB74

Texas 2021 - 87th 2nd C.S.

Caption

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

Impact

If enacted, SB74 would amend the Texas Election Code by designating institutions of higher education as voter registration agencies. This change would empower these institutions to initiate the voter registration process automatically when students enroll, thereby potentially increasing voter registration rates among young adults. The bill includes provisions for students to opt out of being automatically registered should they choose not to participate. Furthermore, it seeks to establish clear procedures and forms that combine enrollment applications with voter registration forms, streamlining the process for students.

Summary

SB74 is a legislative proposal aimed at facilitating automatic voter registration for students who are enrolled in public institutions of higher education in Texas. This bill mandates that the voter registrar of each county automatically registers any resident eligible to vote and is enrolled at an institution of higher education, as specified under Texas law. The intent behind this bill is to simplify and encourage participation in the electoral process among young voters who might otherwise overlook the registration requirement due to various reasons including lack of knowledge about the process or accessibility issues.

Contention

As with many legislative changes, there may be points of contention surrounding SB74. Proponents are likely to emphasize the bill's potential to enhance civic engagement among students and ease the path to participation in democracy. However, opponents might raise concerns regarding privacy, particularly about how students' information is handled during the registration process. Additionally, there could be discussions about the effectiveness of automatic voter registration and concerns from various political groups about the implications this may have on voter turnout and electoral integrity.