WA House passes automatic voter registration bill

voter

Some Washington residents would be automatically registered to vote when they get a certain kind of driver’s license under a bill approved Monday by the House. 

In a party-line 50-48 vote, the chamber passed a stripped-down version of a measure that would automatically register citizens who aren’t on the voter rolls in Washington if they apply for an enhanced driver’s license. To obtain that license, a person must show proof of citizenship or legal residence in the state. 

The bill has some significant changes from the original proposal, which also called for automatically registering citizens who sign up for medical insurance on the Health Benefits Exchange and programs from some other state agencies. It also has some differences from an automatic voter registration measure previously approved by the Senate. 

Differences will have to be ironed out and a final bill passed before the Legislature adjourns March 8th.  (Spokesman-Review)

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