Pennsylvania streamlines voter registration process when applying for driver's license
Pennsylvania is making it easier for residents to register to vote when they apply for or renew a driver’s license.
Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Tuesday that eligible residents will automatically be able to register to vote at PennDOT driver and photo license centers. Previously, people needed to take additional steps at the centers to register to vote.
Starting today, Shapiro said, people will automatically be directed to the voter registration process. People can opt out of registering to vote, if they choose,
“Automatic voter registration is a commonsense step to ensure election security and save Pennsylvanians time and tax dollars,” Shapiro said in a statement. “Residents of our Commonwealth already provide proof of identity, residency, age, and citizenship at the DMV – all the information required to register to vote — so it makes good sense to streamline that process with voter registration.”
Pennsylvania joins about two dozen states, including Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Georgia, Virginia, and West Virginia, and the District of Columbia that have automatic voter registration.
Pennsylvania and other states have permitted people to register to vote while applying for a driver’s license since 1993, when the National Voter Registration Act, known as the motor voter law, went into effect.
People who do not drive but are applying for a photo ID at a PennDOT or photo license center can also register to vote.
To be eligible to register to vote, people must:
Be a U.S. citizen for at least 30 days before the next election, which this year is Nov. 7.
Be a resident of Pennsylvania and their election district for at least 30 days before the next election.
Be at least 18 on the date of the next election.
More information about registering to vote is available at the Pennsylvania Department of State website.