The League supports SB 315 because it will help ensure that voters who are already registered to vote in Virginia are registered in the correct precinct. Many people forget to update their voter registration addresses but remember to update their addresses for their driver’s licenses. While it is true that eligible citizens can opt out of automatic voter registration, once they are registered, this proposal would make it easier for them to keep their registration current and accurate. Not only would the bill help voters, but it would also assist in maintaining clean voter rolls.

Please vote NO on SB 315. This bill requires the automatic updating of a voter’s address on the voter rolls with whatever address is most recently provided to DMV. It removes the ability of a voter to opt out, even in instances where an address provided to DMV is a business or second home, or farm address, a place that is not the voter’s primary place of residence. This bill would create unnecessary confusion on the part of Elect and the voter. Why remove the opt out provision already in place? The bill would unilaterally provide a new address for a voter, likely changing a voter’s precinct. To change a voter’s voter registration address to someplace other than the primary address, without the consent of the voter would amount to voter disenfranchisement. In addition, simply interacting with the DMV cannot change a voter’s status from inactive to active for the purpose of federal elections. There are federal laws in place that govern this. A visit to DMV has nothing to do with whether someone is active or not on the voter rolls.