D.C. Law 20-158. Voter Registration Access and Modernization Amendment Act of 2014.

AN ACT

To amend the District of Columbia Election Code of 1955 to require a digital voter service system that may be executed by electronic signatures, to require the Department of Motor Vehicles to transmit to the District of Columbia Board of Elections the electronic signatures of those individuals who possess current Department of Motor Vehicles-issued identification and who submit registration applications through the digital voter service system to the board, and to make conforming amendments.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as the "Voter Registration Access and Modernization Amendment Act of 2014".

Sec. 2. The District of Columbia Election Code of 1955, approved August 12, 1955 (69 Stat. 699; D.C. Official Code § 1-1001.01 et seq.), is amended as follows:

(a) Section 2 (D.C. Official Code § 1-1001.02) is amended by adding new paragraphs (27) and (28) to read as follows:

"(27) The term "digital voter service system" means a website or mobile application that allows an individual to do the following:

"(A) Apply to become a registered voter;

"(B) Change the individual's name, address, or party affiliation in the individual's existing voter registration record; and

"(C) Request an absentee ballot.

"(28) The term "DMV" means the Department of Motor Vehicles.".

(b) Section 7 (D.C. Official Code § 1-1001.07) is amended as follows:

(1) Subsection (a-1) is amended as follows:

(A) Paragraph (1) is amended as follows:

(i) Subparagraph (A) is amended by striking the phrase "driver's license" and inserting the phrase "DMV-issued identification" in its place.

(ii) Subparagraph (B) is amended by striking the phrase "driver's license" and inserting the phrase "DMV-issued identification" in its place.

(B) Paragraph (2) is amended by striking the phrase "driver's license" and inserting the phrase "DMV-issued identification" in its place.

(2) Subsection (b) is amended as follows:

(A) Paragraph (2) is amended by striking the word "mailed" and inserting the word "mailable" in its place.

(B) A new paragraph (2A) is added to read as follows:

"(2A) No later than 180 days following the effective date of the Voter Registration Access and Modernization Amendment Act of 2014, passed on 2nd reading on September 23, 2014 (Enrolled version of Bill 20-264), the Board shall implement a digital voter service system that includes a voter registration application form that may be executed by either:

"(A) An electronic signature provided by the applicant directly to the Board; or

"(B) An electronic signature provided to the Board by the DMV in accordance with paragraph (5) of this subsection.".

(C) A new paragraph (5) is added to read as follows:

"(5) For each individual who submits a voter registration application using the Board's digital voter service system required by paragraph (2A) of this subsection, the Board shall request, and the DMV shall furnish, an electronic copy of the applicant's signature for the purpose of executing the application submitted for acceptance and approval; provided, that the applicant provides the applicant's DMV-issued identification number and affirmatively consents to the use of that signature as the signature for the application submitted.".

(3) Subsection (c) is amended as follows:

(A) Paragraph (1) is amended as follows:

(i) Subparagraph (A) is amended by striking the phrase "Bureau of Motor Vehicle Services" and inserting the acronym "DMV" in its place.

(ii) Subparagraph (B) is amended by striking the phrase "Bureau of Motor Vehicle Services" and inserting the acronym "DMV" in its place.

(iii) Subparagraph (D) is amended by striking the phrase "Bureau of Motor Vehicle Services" and inserting the acronym "DMV" in its place.

(iv) Subparagraph (H) is amended by striking the phrase "Bureau of Motor Vehicle Services" and inserting the acronym "DMV" in its place.

(v) Subparagraph (I) is amended by striking the phrase "Bureau of Motor Vehicle Services" and inserting the acronym "DMV" in its place.

(vi) Subparagraph (K) is amended by striking the phrase "Bureau of Motor Vehicle Services" and inserting the acronym "DMV" in its place.

(B) Paragraph (2) is repealed.

(4) Subsection (g) is amended as follows:

(A) Paragraph (1) is amended by striking the phrase "in person at the Board's office" and inserting the phrase "in person at the Board's office, using the digital voter service system required by subsection (b)(2A) of this section," in its place.

(B) Paragraph (2) is amended as follows:

(i) Subparagraph (A) is amended by striking the phrase "; and" and inserting a semicolon in its place.

(ii) Subparagraph (B) is amended by striking the period and inserting the phrase "; and" in its place.

(iii) A new subparagraph (C) is added to read as follows:

"(C) Voter registration applications and registration update notifications submitted through the digital voter service system required by subsection (b)(2A) of this section not later than the 30th day preceding any election.".

(5) Subsection (i)(6)(A) is amended by striking the phrase "driver's license" and inserting the phrase "DMV-issued identification" in its place.

(6) Subsection (j)(1)(D) is amended by striking the phrase "Bureau of Motor Vehicle Services" and inserting the acronym "DMV" in its place.

Sec. 3. Applicability.

This act shall apply upon the inclusion of its fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan, as certified by the Chief Financial Officer to the Budget Director of the Council in a certification published by the Council in the District of Columbia Register.

Sec. 4. Fiscal impact statement.

The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal impact statement required by section 602(c)(3) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(3)).

Sec. 5. Effective date.

This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of congressional review as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the District of Columbia Register.