Bill > HB470

This bill creates an automatic voter registration system in Ohio that will allow the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and Department of Medicaid to electronically transmit certain personal information to the Secretary of State for the purpose of registering eligible individuals to vote. Under this system, when a person interacts with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles or Department of Medicaid and appears to be eligible to vote, their information (including name, address, date of birth, citizenship status, and signature) will be sent to the Secretary of State, who will then forward it to the county board of elections. The board will send the individual a notice informing them that they will be registered to vote unless they decline, and providing instructions on how to opt out. If the notice is not returned or the person does not decline, they will be automatically registered. The bill includes safeguards to ensure only eligible voters are registered, such as requiring U.S. citizenship and verifying address information. It also amends multiple sections of Ohio's election laws to accommodate this new automatic registration process, including provisions for updating voter registrations, handling returned mail, and managing provisional ballots. The goal is to make voter registration more convenient and increase voter participation by reducing barriers to registration.

Government Affairs

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb470