Reprinted

February 24, 2009





SENATE BILL No. 534

_____


DIGEST OF SB 534 (Updated February 23, 2009 6:56 pm - DI 102)



Citations Affected: IC 3-7; IC 9-24.

Synopsis: Online voter registration. Permits, after June 30, 2010, an individual who possesses a current and valid Indiana driver's license or identification card to: (1) submit a voter registration application; or (2) update information in the individual's existing voter registration record; online by use of a secure Internet web site. Establishes procedures for the bureau of motor vehicles and a county voter registration office to process an application or information submitted to the web site. Provides that an eligible applicant who submits a complete application online not later than midnight on the twenty-ninth day before an election shall be registered to vote in the election.

Effective: July 1, 2009.





Lawson C , Charbonneau




    January 15, 2009, read first time and referred to Committee on Elections.
    February 16, 2009, reported favorably _ Do Pass.
    February 23, 2009, read second time, amended, ordered engrossed.





Reprinted

February 24, 2009

First Regular Session 116th General Assembly (2009)


PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type, additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts between statutes enacted by the 2008 Regular Session of the General Assembly.

SENATE BILL No. 534



    A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning elections.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:

SOURCE: IC 3-7-26.7; (09)SB0534.2.1. -->     SECTION 1. IC 3-7-26.7 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2009]:
     Chapter 26.7. Online Voter Registration
    Sec. 1. This chapter applies to an individual who:
        (1) is eligible to register to vote under IC 3-7-13; and
        (2) possesses a current and valid:
            (A) Indiana driver's license issued under IC 9-24; or
            (B) Indiana identification card for nondrivers issued under IC 9-24-16.
    Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "applicant" means an individual who submits an application as provided in this chapter.
    Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "bureau" refers to the bureau of motor vehicles created by IC 9-14-1-1.
    Sec. 4. After June 30, 2010, an individual described in section 1 of this chapter may submit a voter registration application to a county voter registration office using the procedures set forth in

this chapter.
    Sec. 5. (a) The secretary of state, with the consent of the co-directors of the election division, shall establish a secure Internet web site to permit individuals described in section 1 of this chapter to submit applications under this chapter.
    (b) The secure web site established under subsection (a) must allow an individual described in section 1 of this chapter to submit:
        (1) an application:
            (A) for registration as a first time voter in Indiana; or
            (B) to change the individual's name, address, or other information set forth in the individual's existing voter registration record; and
        (2) information to establish that the applicant is eligible under section 1 of this chapter to register online.
    Sec. 6. (a) When an applicant submits an application described in section 5(b)(1) of this chapter by use of the secure Internet web site established under this chapter, the bureau shall compare the information submitted by the applicant with the information maintained in the bureau's data base listing individuals who possess a current and valid Indiana:
        (1) driver's license; or
        (2) identification card for nondrivers.
    (b) If the bureau confirms that the applicant possesses a current and valid:
        (1) Indiana driver's license issued under IC 9-24; or
        (2) Indiana identification card for nondrivers issued under IC 9-24-16;
the completed application and information compiled by the bureau (including the digital signature of the applicant) shall be submitted to the county voter registration office in the county in which the applicant currently resides using the computerized statewide voter registration list maintained under IC 3-7-26.3.
    Sec. 7. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the county voter registration office shall process the application under IC 3-7.

SOURCE: IC 3-7-32-2; (09)SB0534.2.2. -->     SECTION 2. IC 3-7-32-2, AS AMENDED BY P.L.164-2006, SECTION 25, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2009]: Sec. 2. A registration application must be signed:
        (1) in indelible ink or indelible pencil; or
        (2) with an electronic signature in a manner authorized under:
             (A) IC 3-7-26.3 if submitted to a license branch under IC 3-7-14; or
            (B) IC 3-7-26.7 (online voter registration).

SOURCE: IC 3-7-33-3.5; (09)SB0534.2.3. -->     SECTION 3. IC 3-7-33-3.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2009]: Sec. 3.5. (a) This section applies to a voter registration application submitted online in accordance with IC 3-7-26.7.
    (b) An eligible applicant who submits a complete application online in accordance with IC 3-7-26.7 not later than midnight on the twenty-ninth day before the election shall be registered to vote in the election.

SOURCE: IC 9-24-2.5-1; (09)SB0534.2.4. -->     SECTION 4. IC 9-24-2.5-1 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2009]: Sec. 1. This chapter prescribes the procedures to be followed by the commission in processing voter registration applications under 42 U.S.C. 1973gg-3, and IC 3-7-14, and IC 3-7-26.7.
SOURCE: IC 9-24-2.5-4; (09)SB0534.2.5. -->     SECTION 5. IC 9-24-2.5-4, AS AMENDED BY P.L.164-2006, SECTION 137, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2009]: Sec. 4. (a) As required under 42 U.S.C. 1973gg-3(e)(1), the manager or designated license branch employee shall transmit a copy of the completed voter registration portion of each application for a driver's license or an identification card for nondrivers issued under this article to the county voter registration office of the county in which the individual's residential address (as indicated on the application) is located.
    (b) The voter registration application shall be transmitted to the county voter registration office in an electronic format and on an expedited basis (as defined by IC 3-5-2-23.2) using the computerized list established under IC 3-7-26.3. Except in the case of applications submitted online under IC 3-7-26.7, the paper copy of the application shall be transmitted under subsection (a) to the county voter registration office not later than five (5) days after the application is accepted at the license branch.