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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Cervantes

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

2/2/07

2/5/07 HB 394

SHORT TITLE Same-Day Voter Registration

SB

ANALYST Wilson

ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL OPERATING BUDGET IMPACT (dollars in thousands)

FY07

FY08

FY09 3 Year

Total Cost

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

Total

Unknown

Recurring County

Funds

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to HB346

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Office of the Attorney General (OAG)

Secretary of State (SOS)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 394 permits same-day registration at primary and general elections.

This bill allows same-day registration and voting if the qualified elector is not registered to vote

and is at the polling place for the precinct in which the qualified elector resides.

If the qualified elector is not registered to vote and is at the polling place for the precinct within

which the qualified elector resides, the qualified elector shall be allowed to complete a certificate

of registration and cast a ballot; provided the qualified elector has first signed or marked both the

signature roster and the checklist of registered voters.

If the qualified elector is not registered to vote and is at a polling place for a precinct where the

qualified elector does not reside, the qualified elector shall be allowed to sign an affidavit of

eligibility and cast a provisional paper ballot; provided the polling place is within the county in

which the qualified elector resides and the qualified elector has first signed or marked both the

signature roster and the checklist of registered voters.

Once the qualified elector is registered to vote, the election clerks in charge of the signature

House Bill 394– Page

2

rosters shall add the voter's name and address in ink to the signature roster on the line

immediately following the last entered voter's name.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The SOS states that for best implementation, polls should be wired to a central computer system.

Counties do not currently have the infrastructure or functionality necessary for optimal

implementation of election day registration.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

One of the most cherished principles in this country is the right to vote. This bill will make

voting in elections more accessible and allow individuals who are eligible to vote, but have not

registered previously to participate in the election process.

Proponents argue that same-day voter registration increases voter turnout, opponents argue that

the process encourages election fraud, increases expense, and increases the administrative burden

on poll workers.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The SOS is interested in ensuring the preferred infrastructure at the county level is in place

before attempting to implement election day registration.

RELATIONSHIP

HB 394 relates to HB 346. HB 346 requires the qualified elector to produce more identification.

DW/yr