Registering to vote in the state of California just got a lot easier.
Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill on Saturday that allows people in the state to be automatically registered to vote when they apply for a driver's license at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
[seealso URL= "http://sale-online.click/2015/08/06/voting-rights-act-stripped/"]
The legislation requires driver's license applications, including renewals of existing licenses, to be treated as applications for voter registration, unless a person opts out. The bill will take effect beginning in 2016. It was one of 13 measures signed by the governor to "help improve elections and expand voter rights and access in California," according to a statement from Brown's office Saturday.
The bill was brought by state Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) and backed by California Secretary of State Alex Padilla. Both praised Brown for signing the bill into law on Saturday, saying that it would expand voting rights in the state, which saw record-low voter turnout in the fall 2014 elections.
Thank you @JerryBrownGov for signing the #NewMotorVoter Act! Democracy is stronger when more citizens can vote!— Alex Padilla (@AlexPadilla4CA) October 10, 2015
I can't believe that we got our biggest bill signed again this year. My staff led by @CapitolEVAN are rockstar history makers!— Lorena Gonzalez (@LorenaSGonzalez) October 10, 2015
The bill also received praise from Hillary Clinton, who thanked Brown for his efforts to make it easier for people to vote.
Thank you, @JerryBrownGov. Every state should follow your lead and make it easier to vote. https://t.co/HWarCEXN8B— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) October 10, 2015
Only 41.7% of registered California voters participated in the 2014 general election, according to a report from the UC Davis Center for Regional Change. Rates for Latino and Asian American voters were even lower at 27.5% and 36.3%, respectively.
"A key reason for low eligible voter turnout is the low registration rates of eligible citizens," the report said. "Historically, registration rates for California Latinos and Asian Americans have run at levels far below that of the general population."