North Carolina 2025 Session Status: In Committee 12 D cosponsors

SB 457 — Automatic 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 is in committee in the Senate. Introduced March 24, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.

Prognosis

Stalled 26% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 12 sponsors

    2 primary, 10 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (12 D).

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

35 added · 36 removed

Plain-language change summary

In the latest version of Senate Bill 457, several lines were added to clarify the rules regarding voter registration, particularly concerning automatic voter registration at driver's license offices and the penalties for non-citizens attempting to register. The amendments specify that voter applications must be received by election boards within a certain timeframe and outline the responsibilities of applicants who may be applying after receiving assistance. These changes aim to ensure the integrity of the voter registration process and provide clearer guidelines for both applicants and election officials.

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FILED SENATE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA Mar 24, 2025 S.B.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 S 1 SENATE BILL 457 Short Title:
457 SESSION 2025 PRINCIPAL CLERK S D SENATE BILL DRS35166-LUe-45A Short Title:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION AT DRIVERS LICENSE OFFICES, PUBLIC AGENCIES, COMMUNITY COLLEGES, AND COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AND TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS TO IMPLEMENT AN OUTREACH CAMPAIGN INFORMING CITIZENS ABOUT AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION.
Rules and Operations of the Senate March 25, 2025 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION AT DRIVERS LICENSE OFFICES, PUBLIC AGENCIES, COMMUNITY COLLEGES, AND COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AND TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS TO IMPLEMENT AN OUTREACH CAMPAIGN INFORMING CITIZENS ABOUT AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION.
It shall be an affirmative defense to a charge of failing to make a good faith effort to deliver a delegated form by the registration deadline that the delegatee informed the applicant that the form would not likely be delivered in time for the applicant to vote in the next *DRS35166-LUe-45A* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 election.
It shall be an affirmative defense to a charge of failing to make a good faith effort to deliver a delegated form by the registration deadline that the delegatee informed the applicant that the form would not likely be delivered in time for the applicant to vote in the next *S457-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 election.
(1) If submitted by mail, must be postmarked at least 25 days before the primary or election, except that any mailed application on which the postmark is missing or unclear is validly submitted if received in the mail not later than 20 days before the primary or election,election.
(1) If submitted by mail, must be postmarked at least 25 days before the primary or election, except that any mailed application on which the postmark is missing or unclear is validlysubmitted if received in the mail not later than 20 days before the primary or election,election.
(2) If submitted in person, by facsimile transmission, or by transmission of a scanned document, or by automatic voter registration, must be received by the county board of elections by a time established by that board, but no earlier than5:00 P.M.,onthetwenty-fifth daybeforetheprimaryor election,election.
(2) If submitted in person, by facsimile transmission, or by transmission of a scanned document, or byautomatic voter registration, must be received bythe county board of elections by a time established by that board, but no earlier than5:00 P.M.,onthetwenty-fifth daybeforetheprimaryor election,election.
– The Beginning January 1, 2026, the Division of Motor Vehicles shall, pursuant to the rules adopted by in consultation with the State Board of Elections, modify its forms so that implement a method by which any eligible person who applies for original issuance, renewal or correction of a drivers license, or special identification card issued under G.S.
– The Beginning January1, 2026, the Division of Motor Vehicles shall, pursuant to the rules adopted by in consultation with the State Board of Elections, modify its forms so that implement a method by which any eligible person who applies for original issuance, renewal or correction of a drivers license, or special identification card issued under G.S.
If the applicant states that the applicant is not a citizen of the United States, or declines to answer the question, the person taking the application shall inform the applicant that it is a felony for a person who is not a citizen of the United States to apply to register to vote.
If the applicant states that the applicant is not a citizen of the United States, or declines to answer the question, the person taking the application shall inform the applicant that it is a felonyfor a person who is not a citizen of the United States to apply to register to vote.
(4) That any person who willfully and knowingly and with fraudulent intent gives false information on the application is guilty of a Class I felony.
(4) That anyperson who willfullyand knowinglyand with fraudulent intent gives false information on the application is guilty of a Class I felony.
Page 2 DRS35166-LUe-45A General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (6) Information regarding the address confidentiality program under Chapter 15C of the General Statutes, including how to register for the program and how voter registration may impact participation in the program.
Page 2 Senate Bill 457-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (6) Information regarding the address confidentiality program under Chapter 15C of the General Statutes, including how to register for the program and how voter registration may impact participation in the program.
– The Department of Transportation shall electronically transmit the applications of applicants who have not declined voter registration to the appropriate board of elections not later than five business days after the date of acceptance, according to rules which shall be promulgated by the State Board of Elections.
– The Department of Transportation shall electronically transmit the applications of applicants who have not declined voter registration to the appropriate board of elections not later than five business days after the date of acceptance, accordingto rules which shall be promulgated by the State Board of Elections.
– Beginning January 1, 2027, a voter registration agency described in subsection (a)ofthis section shall, unless theapplicant declines, in writing, to registerto vote:in consultation with the State Board, provide, with each application for service or assistance, and with each recertification, renewal, or change of address relating to such service or assistance, an application process for automatic voter registration.
– Beginning January 1, 2027, a voter registration agency described in subsection (a)ofthis section shall, unless theapplicant declines, in writing,to registertovote:in consultation with the State Board, provide, with each application for service or assistance, and with each recertification, renewal, or change of address relatingto such service or assistance, an application process for automatic voter registration.
(1) Distribute with each application for service or assistance, and with each recertification, renewal, or change of address relating to such service or DRS35166-LUe-45A Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 assistance:That the applicant shall be registered to vote or have the applicant's voter registration record updated, as applicable, unless the applicant declines.
(1) Distribute with each application for service or assistance, and with each recertification, renewal, or change of address relating to such service or Senate Bill 457-First Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 assistance:That the applicant shall be registered to vote or have the applicant's voter registration record updated, as applicable, unless the applicant declines.
(3) Provide to each applicant who does not decline to register to vote the same degree of assistance with regard to the completion of the registration application as is provided by the office with regard to the completion of its ownforms.That theapplicant shouldnot registeriftheapplicant does not meet the qualifications described under subdivision (2) of this subsection.
(3) Provide to each applicant who does not decline to register to vote the same degree of assistance with regard to the completion of the registration application as is provided by the office with regard to the completion of its ownforms.That theapplicant shouldnot registerif theapplicant does not meet the qualifications described under subdivision (2) of this subsection.
(4) That any person who willfully and knowingly and with fraudulent intent gives false information on the application is guilty of a Class I felony.
(4) That anyperson who willfullyand knowinglyand with fraudulent intent gives false information on the application is guilty of a Class I felony.
Page 4 DRS35166-LUe-45A General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (g) Transmittal From Agency to Board of Elections.
Page 4 Senate Bill 457-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (g) Transmittal From Agency to Board of Elections.
– Any voter registration application completed at a voter registration agency shall be accepted by that agency in lieu of the applicant's mailing the application.
– Any voter registration application completed at a voter registration agencyshall be accepted bythat agencyin lieu of the applicant's mailing the application.
– No person shall make application to register to vote under this section if that person is ineligible on account of age, citizenship, lack of residence for the period of time provided by law, or because of conviction of a felony.
– No person shall make application to register to vote under this section if that person is ineligible on account of age, citizenship, lack of residence for the period of time provided bylaw, or because of conviction of a felony.
The State Board of Elections, the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction, and the Administrative Office of the Courts shall jointly develop and implement educational programs and procedures for persons to apply to register to vote at the time they are restored to citizenshipand allfilings requiredhavebeencompletedunderChapter13oftheGeneralStatutes.
The State Board of Elections, the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction, and the Administrative Office of the Courts shall jointly develop and implement educational programs and procedures for persons to apply to register to vote at the time they are restored to citizenshipandallfilings requiredhavebeencompletedunderChapter13oftheGeneralStatutes.
The State Board of Elections, the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction, and the Administrative Office of the Courts shall jointly develop and implement educational programs and procedures for persons to apply to register to vote at the time they are restored to citizenshipand allfilings requiredhavebeencompletedunderChapter13oftheGeneralStatutes.
The State Board of Elections, the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction, and the Administrative Office of the Courts shall jointly develop and implement educational programs and procedures for persons to apply to register to vote at the time they are restored to citizenshipandallfilings requiredhavebeencompletedunderChapter13oftheGeneralStatutes.
DRS35166-LUe-45A Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 "§ 115D-5.
Senate Bill 457-First Edition Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 "§ 115D-5.
(a) The State Board of Community Colleges may adopt and execute such policies, regulations and standards concerning the establishment, administration, and operation of institutions as the State Board may deem necessary to insure the quality of educational programs, to promote the systematic meeting of educational needs of the State, and to provide for the equitable distribution of State and federal funds to the several institutions.
(a) The State Board of Community Colleges may adopt and execute such policies, regulations and standards concerning the establishment, administration, and operation of institutions as the State Board maydeem necessaryto insure the qualityof educational programs, to promote the systematic meeting of educational needs of the State, and to provide for the equitable distribution of State and federal funds to the several institutions.
– Beginning January 1, 2027, the State Board of CommunityColleges,inconsultationwiththeStateBoard ofElections,shallprovideeachperson who is enrolled and registering for courses as a student in a State community college the option for automatic voter registration as follows:
– Beginning January 1, 2027, the State Board of CommunityColleges,in consultationwiththeStateBoard ofElections,shallprovideeachperson who is enrolled and registering for courses as a student in a State community college the option for automatic voter registration as follows:
163-82.4,includingdeclaring apreference to be affiliated with a political party or a preference to be an unaffiliated voter.
163-82.4,includingdeclaring apreference to be affiliated with a political partyor a preference to be an unaffiliated voter.
Page 6 DRS35166-LUe-45A General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (4) Transmittal from State community college to board of elections.
Page 6 Senate Bill 457-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (4) Transmittal from State community college to board of elections.
– Applications to register accepted by a State community college shall entitle a registrant to vote in any primary, general, or special election unless the registrant shall have made application later than the twenty-fifth calendar day immediately preceding the primary, general, or special election, provided that nothing shall prohibit State community colleges from continuing to accept applications duringthatperiod.
– Applications to register accepted by a State community college shall entitle a registrant to vote in any primary, general, or special election unless the registrant shall have made application later than the twenty-fifth calendar day immediately preceding the primary, general, or special election, provided that nothing shall prohibit State communitycolleges from continuingto accept applications duringthat period.
However, if a person who is ineligible to vote becomes registered to vote pursuant to this subsection, the presumption shall be that the person's registration is deemed officially authorized and shall not be attributed to any fault of the person.
However, if a person who is ineligible to vote becomes registered to vote pursuant to this subsection, the presumption shall be that the person's registration is deemed officiallyauthorized and shall not be attributed to any fault of the person.
Information regarding the address confidentiality program under Chapter 15C of the General Statutes, including how to register for the program and how voter registration may impact participation in the program.
Information regarding the address confidentiality program under Chapter 15C of the General Statutes, including how to register for the program and how voter registration mayimpact participation in the program.
DRS35166-LUe-45A Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 b.
Senate Bill 457-First Edition Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 b.
Page 8 DRS35166-LUe-45A General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 9.
Page 8 Senate Bill 457-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 9.
DRS35166-LUe-45A Page 9
Senate Bill 457-First Edition Page 9
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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 · 10 co-sponsors · 167 not signed on

Sponsors (2)

Co-sponsors (10)

Not signed on (167)

167 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 167 →

"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
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 457?
SB 457 is sponsored by Joyce Waddell (Democratic), Caleb Theodros (Democratic), DeAndrea Salvador (Democratic), Natalie S. Murdock (Democratic), Mujtaba A. Mohammed (Democratic), Lisa Grafstein (Democratic), Michael Garrett (Democratic), Val Applewhite (Democratic), Sydney Batch (Democratic), Sophia Chitlik (Democratic), Graig Meyer (Democratic), and Kandie D. Smith (Democratic).
What is the current status of SB 457?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced March 24, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track SB 457?
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