SB 658

Voter registration; automatic voter registration. Provides for the automatic electronic transmission by the Department of Motor Vehicles to the Department of Elections of certain information for any individual who (i) is not registered to vote; (ii) is of sufficient age to register to vote; (iii) conducts a transaction with the Department of Motor Vehicles to apply for any document or credential or to replace, renew, or update an existing document or credential; and (iv) provides documentation demonstrating United States citizenship or answers affirmatively when asked if he is a United States citizen. Any such individual is mailed a registration notice that (a) states that the individual will be registered to vote based on the information provided and that the individual should decline registration if he does not meet eligibility requirements, (b) explains the eligibility requirements, and (c) provides instructions for how he may decline registration. The Department of Elections is required to transmit the information to the appropriate general registrar, along with any information indicating ineligibility. The Department of Elections is required to establish security requirements for transmission of information about potential registered voters and to report certain information regarding voter registration. The bill has a delayed effective date of the date of publication of a notice in the Virginia Register of Regulations by the State Board of Elections that the information technology infrastructure to implement this bill is fully operational, or July 1, 2027, whichever is sooner, but no earlier than July 1, 2026.