North Carolina 2017-2018 Session Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 4 D · 1 R cosponsors

SB 646 — Universal Voter Registration.

Last action — Passed 1st Reading

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2017-2018 Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

322 added · 321 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of Senate Bill 646 clarifies the ways that voter registration forms can be submitted, including options like mailing, faxing, or submitting in person. It also emphasizes the responsibility of individuals who are delegated to submit these forms, making it a misdemeanor if they fail to deliver the form on time without informing the applicant. This change matters because it helps ensure that voters' registrations are handled properly and promptly, which can increase participation in elections.

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FILED SENATE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA Apr 4, 2017 S.B.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2017 S 1 SENATE BILL 646 Short Title:
646 SESSION 2017 PRINCIPAL CLERK S D SENATE BILL DRS25064-LU-28A (01/19) Short Title:
Senators Woodard, Clark, and Lowe (Primary Sponsors).
Senators Woodard, Clark, Lowe (Primary Sponsors);
Bryant, Chaudhuri, Foushee, J.
Jackson, Smith-Ingram, Van Duyn, and Waddell.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT PROVIDING FOR AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION AT DRIVERS LICENSE OFFICES, PUBLIC AGENCIES, COMMUNITY COLLEGES, AND COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AND REQUIRING THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS TO IMPLEMENT AN OUTREACH CAMPAIGN INFORMING CITIZENS ABOUT AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION.
Rules and Operations of the Senate April 5, 2017 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT PROVIDING FOR AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION AT DRIVERS LICENSE OFFICES, PUBLIC AGENCIES, COMMUNITY COLLEGES, AND COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AND REQUIRING THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS TO IMPLEMENT AN OUTREACH CAMPAIGN INFORMING CITIZENS ABOUT AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION.
(a) How the Form May Be Submitted.
*S646-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2017 (a) How the Form May Be Submitted.
163-82.3 if the applicant submits the form by mail, facsimile *DRS25064-LU-28A* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2017 transmission, transmission of a scanned document, or in person.person or by automatic voter registration pursuant to G.S.
163-82.3 if the applicant submits the form by mail, facsimile transmission, transmission of a scanned document, or in person.person or by automatic voter registration pursuant to G.S.
If an applicant who registers to vote pursuant to this section fails to declare a political party affiliation, the applicant's political affiliation shall be designated as unaffiliated.
If an applicant who registers to vote pursuant Page 2 Senate Bill 646-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2017 to this section fails to declare a political party affiliation, the applicant's political affiliation shall be designated as unaffiliated.
The person taking the application shall ask if the applicant is Page 2 DRS25064-LU-28A [v.2] (01/17) General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2017 a citizen of the United States.
The person taking the application shall ask if the applicant is a citizen of the United States.
(1) Applications for a program of public assistance under Article 2 of Chapter 108A of the General Statutes or under Article 13 of Chapter 130A of the General Statutes;
Senate Bill 646-First Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2017 (1) Applications for a program of public assistance under Article 2 of Chapter 108A of the General Statutes or under Article 13 of Chapter 130A of the General Statutes;
DRS25064-LU-28A [v.2] (01/17) Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2017 (2) Applications for State-funded State or local government programs primarily engaged in providing services to persons with disabilities, with such office designated by the State Board of Elections;
(2) Applications for State-funded State or local government programs primarily engaged in providing services to persons with disabilities, with such office designated by the State Board of Elections;
or b.
or Page 4 Senate Bill 646-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2017 b.
163-82.3(a) or (b) and has been approved by the State Board of Elections, provided that the agency's own form may be a detachable part of the agency's paper Page 4 DRS25064-LU-28A [v.2] (01/17) General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2017 application or may be a paperless computer process, as long as the applicant is required to sign an attestation as part of the application to register.
163-82.3(a) or (b) and has been approved by the State Board of Elections, provided that the agency's own form may be a detachable part of the agency's paper application or may be a paperless computer process, as long as the applicant is required to sign an attestation as part of the application to register.
(i) Ineligible Applications Prohibited.
Senate Bill 646-First Edition Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2017 (i) Ineligible Applications Prohibited.
DRS25064-LU-28A [v.2] (01/17) Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2017 (j) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as requiring the agencies providing automatic voter registration pursuant to this section to determine eligibility for voter registration and voting." SECTION 5.
(j) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as requiring the agencies providing automatic voter registration pursuant to this section to determine eligibility for voter registration and voting." SECTION 5.
If a previous address is listed, and it is not in the county of residence of the student, the appropriate county board of elections shall treat the automatic voter registration application as an authorization to cancel the previous registration and also process it as such under the procedures of G.S.
If a previous address is listed, and it is not in the county of residence of the student, the appropriate county board of elections shall treat the Page 6 Senate Bill 646-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2017 automatic voter registration application as an authorization to cancel the previous registration and also process it as such under the procedures of G.S.
If a previous address is listed and that address is in the county where the voter applies to register, the application shall be Page 6 DRS25064-LU-28A [v.2] (01/17) General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2017 processed as if it had been submitted under G.S.
If a previous address is listed and that address is in the county where the voter applies to register, the application shall be processed as if it had been submitted under G.S.
SECTION 9.
Senate Bill 646-First Edition Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2017 SECTION 9.
DRS25064-LU-28A [v.2] (01/17) Page 7
Page 8 Senate Bill 646-First Edition
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Action History

  1. Passed 1st Reading

  2. Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

  3. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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2 sponsors · 8 co-sponsors · 169 not signed on

Sponsors (2)

  • Woodard
  • Clark

Co-sponsors (8)

Not signed on (169)

169 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 169 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

elections education
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 646?
SB 646 is sponsored by Woodard, Van Duyn, Paul A. Lowe, Jr. (Democratic), Foushee, Clark, Jay J. Chaudhuri (Democratic), Bryant, Brent Jackson (Republican), Kandie D. Smith (Democratic), and Joyce Waddell (Democratic).
What is the current status of SB 646?
This bill died with 2017-2018 Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 646?
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