CARSON CITY — A legislative panel on Feb. 16 voted to support a measure that could significantly swell the ranks of registered voters ahead of the 2018 election cycle.
The Automatic Voter Registration Initiative would amend Nevada law to require the Department of Motor Vehicles to transmit information to the secretary of state’s office to register people who obtain, renew or change an address on a driver’s license or identification card.
The vote in the Assembly Legislative Operations and Elections Committee was 7-4, with the four Republican members voting no.
Assemblyman Ira Hansen, R-Sparks, called the measure a “Big Brother” attempt to force people to participate in the political process. Voting is important, but so is freedom, he said.
Assemblywoman Shannon Bilbray-Axelrod, D-Las Vegas, supported the measure, saying the DMV process could help update and keep current voter registration records.
Under the measure, people could opt out of the program. Currently, people can register to vote at the DMV, but they have to “opt in.” Tens of thousands of newly registered voters are expected if the process is implemented.
