Modernizing voter registration Automating Voter Address Updates Webinar hosted by the Center for Technology and Civic Life & the Center for Secure and Modern Elections March 7, 2019 1:00pm – 1:45 Central Time 2
Hello, there! Whitney May Judd Choate whitney@techandciviclife.org judd.choate@sos.state.co.us Chris Harvey wharvey@sos.ga.gov 3
The Center for Technology & Civic Life Using technology to improve how local government and communities interact @HelloCTCL www.techandciviclife.org 4
CSME/Implementation Working Group CENTER FOR SECURE AND Supporting election and agency administrators and advocates to ensure automated voter registration systems are implemented to maximize the accuracy and completeness of voter rolls while improving efficiency. Providing design, legal, communications, and data transfer support through our networks, as well as insight into campaigns and implementation efforts around the country. Comprised of a number of individuals and institutions. Staffed by Scott Seeborg of Center for Secure and Modern Elections: scott@modernelections.org 5
Housekeeping Mute your audio if you aren’t speaking • Use chat to communicate • Update your screen name • 6
Voter registration at the DMV and other agencies Motor Voter/NVRA/Federal Law Customers at motor vehicle agencies and state Health and Social Services agencies are offered the opportunity to register to vote under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Automatic Voter Registration/State Law (so far) Qualified people who apply for or renew a driver’s license (or other government service) are automatically registered to vote, unless they decide to opt-out of voter registration. 7
Electronic data transfer is the key to Automatic Voter Registration The ability to transfer voter registration data quickly and accurately through electronic data transfer is a key feature of a modernized voter registration process. States using electronic data transfer have transitioned away from sharing voter registration data between agencies via paper forms and, instead, send data electronically on a regular schedule or in real time. 8
Today’s topics Why automate voter address updates? • How automated voter address updates work in Colorado • How automated voter address updates work in Georgia • Potential benefits and challenges to think about • Key takeaways •
Why automate voter address updates? Simpler process for voters Simpler process for election offices 10
All states benefit from good list maintenance 11
Getting to electronic 1. Understand what information you currently receive and how you receive it (paper or electronic) A. Check statute B. Check your IGA C. Talk to your data folks D. Talk to the DMV data folks 2. Create a relationship with your Office of Motor Vehicles 3. Promote and maintain that relationship A. Explain the law B. The NVRA means “we are in this together.” 12
We are in this together 1. Improvements to Elections data transfer could lead to DMV Improvements A. DMVs care about wait times B. DMVs want elections officials to go away 2. The best way to “go away” is to create a seamless, automated way to collect and transfer data 13
Automating voter address updates in Colorado
The Colorado Story 1. Prehistoric: 1994-2009 2. Historic: 2009-Present (all paper forms scanned by DMV) 3. Online Voter Registration in 2010 (first electronic transfer) 4. First (real) meetings with DMV 2011 5. Multi-year process to: A. Electronic data transfer of registrations and updates B. Receive signatures electronically (signature pads) C. Change interaction from “opt-in” to “opt-out” D. Completely automated address updates E. Two-way transfer of data 15
The Colorado Data 1. Signature pads, electronic transfer of data and signatures 2. Opt-out, DMV information populates registration form both in-person and online 3. Incorporate Center for Civic Design language (more conversational) 4. Implement law requiring same DMV/Elections addresses, administratively update DMV changes 16
Benefits in Colorado Streamlined operations for your team ü Streamlined operations for the DMV ü Better data ü 17
Automating voter address updates in Georgia
The Georgia story 1. May 2016: Legal advocates flagged errors in NVRA compliance at Department of Driver Services (DDS) 2. Attorney General & DDS worked to make changes with Secretary of State’s support 3. Implementation was not complicated 19
The Georgia process • Top-down system at DDS: Driver data flows to SOS and trickles down to county offices • If an application completely matches the file: no changes & no action required from election officials (pending testing) • If an application includes an address update: election officials update the record • Info flows to county and voters receive postcard when: o They are registered o Their information is updated o Their polling place is changed 20
Benefits in Georgia Happier voters • Streamlined interactions • More accurate data • Challenges in Georgia Additional updates to process in the election office • 21
Key takeaways Meet with your motor vehicle agencies • Collect data • Look for easy wins (saving time for motor vehicle agency • transactions)
Group discussion questions What resonated with you today? What did we cover that you have questions about? Is there some thing we didn’t discuss today that you’re curious about? 23
Resources Recording of this webinar will be posted on the CTCL website www.techandciviclife.org/news/webinar-automating-address-updates Watch the modernizing voter registration webinar series on Vimeo www.vimeo.com/helloctcl
Next webinar Medicaid & Automatic Voter Registration Thursday, April 11 th 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm Central Time
How to get help with your implementation The IWG coordinates support for state and local election and CENTER FOR SECURE AND agencies as well as advocates working to ensure smooth implementation of automated voter registration systems. We can assist with design issues, testing, legal review, public education and engagement plans, data transfer plans, and other issues. For assistance or to learn more, contact Scott Seeborg, Center for Secure and Modern Elections scott@modernelections.org 26
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