Representative Manning Gives Testimony on Bill Improving Voter Registration

State Rep. Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville) gave testimony in the House State and Local Government Committee today on House Bill 540, which makes it easier for Ohioans to register to vote and update their voter registration. Manning spoke about the specifics of the legislation during the hearing.

“House Bill 540 will allow Ohioans to register to vote or update the address on their voter registration when they go to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to get or renew a driver’s license or state ID card,” said Manning. “Doing so will make this process more convenient for Ohioans while maintaining the important safeguards we have in place to prevent voter fraud and protect the integrity of our elections.”

Manning stated that the bill would not change any of the current requirements for someone to become a registered voter in Ohio. Prospective voters, for example, will still be required to be Ohio residents and show they are United States citizens.

Additionally, the Ohio Secretary of State’s office would run the proposed automated registration and verification system.

Under the proposal, when a person applies to receive or renew a driver’s license, commercial driver’s license or state identification card, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) would provide the individual’s information, along with an electronic copy of their signature, to the Ohio Secretary of State’s office within seven days of receipt.

If the person is eligible to vote but not registered, or if their address has changed, the secretary of state would forward the individual’s information to the appropriate county board of elections.

The county elections board would then register the individual to vote, or update their registration, and notify the voter that the process has been completed. People would have the option to decline registering to vote or updating their registration.

Voters would have to submit their information to the BMV at least 30 days prior to the upcoming election at which they intend to vote, mirroring the state’s 30-day voter registration requirement.

People would still be permitted to register to vote or update their voter registration online, by mail or in person, as is the case under current law.