Connecticut Reaches Agreement With DOJ To Allow Motor-Voter Registration

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Connecticut officials have reached an out-of-court agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice that outlines a plan to electronically register voters through the DMV -- and the new system will go into use Monday, Aug. 8.

Secretary of the State Denise Merrill announced Friday that voter registration will now be better integrated with applying for a driver's license.
Photo Credit: *courtesy State of Connecticut*

Rachel Martin

08/05/2016 4:48 p.m.

Secretary of the State Denise Merrill and DMV Commissioner Michael Bzdyra announced the resolution on Friday.

Now, when residents apply for a driver's license or ID -- or a renewal -- it will also be an application to register to vote, unless the person opts out. The agreement lays out timelines, divisions of responsibility, training and performance monitoring.

"This is a major step toward ensuring that every eligible citizen is registered to vote," Merrill said. "It also just represents good customer service to the people of Connecticut ... . It will help them carry out two tasks in a single transaction."

The agreement will improve Connecticut's compliance with the National Voter Registration Act, which requires voter registration at DMV offices when eligible citizens apply for a license or state-issued ID.

"We are pleased to help make registering to vote easier, because voting is what makes our democracy strong," said Bzdyra. "Hard work by DMV and SOTS employees has resulted in this agreement, a rare out-of-court settlement of an NVRA enforcement matter."

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