HB 1260: Voter Preregistration HB 1260: Voter Preregistration and Educationand Education

North Carolina Bill allows 16 and 17-year-olds North Carolina Bill allows 16 and 17-year-olds to preregister to vote and encourages additional to preregister to vote and encourages additional instruction concerning the importance of instruction concerning the importance of registration and voting in high schools.registration and voting in high schools.

Status: Earlier in 2009, HB-1260 passed the NC House by a wide bi-partisan margin of 102-14. Now the bill is being considered as part of an omnibus election bill in the NC Senate. Prospects for passage for the 2009-10 legislative session are good.

Overview of NC Youth Pre-Registration and Education Bill

This bill allows 16 and 17-year-olds to preregister to vote, encourages additional instruction in the social studies curriculum about the importance of registration and voting, and encourages boards of elections to assist registration and preregistration in schools. Most students are 16 when they take civics in high school and when they go to the DMV for a driver’s license, so it’s the ideal time to sign them up as future voters.

Endorsing Organizations

League of Women Voters of North Carolina, Democracy North Carolina, Fair Vote NC, American Association of University Women – NC, Generation Engage, NC Center for Voter Education, NC Civic Education Consortium, Action for Children NC, Common Cause, El Pueblo, Southern Coalition for Social Justice, Traction, and UNC Center for Civil Rights.

Why is youth preregistration needed?Why is youth preregistration needed?• Over 80% of adult citizens over 40 are Over 80% of adult citizens over 40 are

registered, but less than 60% of voters 18-registered, but less than 60% of voters 18-24 are registered.24 are registered.

• Preregistration can be done while Preregistration can be done while teenagers go to the DMV for their driver’s teenagers go to the DMV for their driver’s license or while they are taking civics in license or while they are taking civics in school.school.

• Like good driving skills, voting is habit-Like good driving skills, voting is habit-forming and will lead to a more engaged forming and will lead to a more engaged electorate and higher voter turnout among electorate and higher voter turnout among teens in NC!teens in NC!

More Facts…• North Carolina currently permits 17-year-

olds who will be 18 on the day of the general election to register and vote in the preceding primary.

• 16, 17, and 18-year-olds change addresses less frequently than 19 to 24-year-olds.

• Many county boards of elections have outreach programs involving schools.

• Preregistration helps develop accurate, more comprehensive voter registration rolls and will shorten lengthy Same-Day Registration lines.

Mechanics of Preregistration• The basic registration form would be used, with a new

box explaining the preregistration option for 16 and 17-year-olds who will not be 18 by the day of the next general election.

• The forms would be transmitted electronically by DMV and county boards of elections to the State Board of Elections for data maintenance.

• When the preregistered teenager becomes old enough to register, they will be automatically registered to vote by the State Board of Elections and the normal verification process for all new registered voters will take place at that time, including verification of the ID number and residential address.

• The State Board of Elections will develop software for the preregistration of 16 and 17-year-olds. Based on the State Board of Election’s assessment, this can be done by existing staff with the existing budget.

How will preregistration enhance civics education and involvement?

• Students are already required to learn about the voting process; preregistration would make this learning more relevant.

• Preregistration will improve students’ achievement and civic preparation

• Preregistration fosters respect, responsibility, and citizenship.

Bi-partisan Sponsors

• Two Republicans and two Democrats in the NC House are the primary sponsors for the bill.

• The bill passed the NC House 102-14 – with overwhelming bi-partisan support.

DMV Data from North Carolina

Total Number of 16-17 year olds receiving their NC Driver’s License:

2006 – 127,989

2007 – 127,237

2008 – 122,509