On March 6, House Bill 2177, known as the New Motor Voter bill, passed legislation and is now  awaiting Governor Kate Brown’s signature.
When the bill was originally introduced on Jan. 12, Brown, in her former position as Secretary of State sponsored the bill.
The New Motor Voter is designed to make voter registration easier for eligible voters in Oregon.
At the Department of Motor vehicles, when an eligible voter is at least 17, when they apply for things like a new or renewed license, will have their information given to the office of the Secretary of State.
The DMV will provide electronic records of the eligible voter’s name, age, residence, citizenship information and and electronic signature to the Secretary of State, unless opted out.
This enables the state to send out a ballot to as many eligible voters as possible. It is the first bill of its kind in the United States.
Communications Director for the Oregon Student Association, Daniel McCall says the new bill will not change their efforts to get students registered, because students who don’t go to the DMV or come from out of state, fall through the cracks.
“We also see the passage of HB 2177 as an opportunity to expand out voter education and voter turnout programs so that we can do outreach to more students,” McCall said.
The new bill will impact an estimated 300,000 Oregonians says McCall.
Brown has promised to sign the bill according to the Oregonian.
“We are so excited to see this legislation become law,” President of the University of Oregon Student Democrats Celine Swenson-Harris said. “I am proud that our state continues to take the lead in making elections more accessible. The New Motor Voter bill removes a barrier to voter participation and allows more eligible Oregonians to make their voices heard in our democratic process.”
While in the house, Republicans speculated that the bill could incite privacy invasion and identity theft. Democrats responded there are safeguards set in place, like the prevention of data transfer for those with DMV records protection such as police officers and domestic abuse victims.
Chairman of the University of Oregon Republicans, Joesph Lewis declined to comment since the chapter has concluded meeting for the term, except to say they are against it.