WISCONSIN — A new bill could bring automatic voter registration to the state.
Rep. David Crowley (D-Milwaukee) and Sen. Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) announced the legislation Monday morning. The bill would automatically register those eligible to vote when getting a driver's license or state ID, unless the person chooses to opt out.
The bill would allow the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to transfer information to the Elections Commission. Personal information on an individual's driver's license or state ID would remain confidential as it's being transferred.
Once the commission receives all the information required under current law to complete an elector's registration, the commission would add their name to the statewide registration list.
Gov. Tony Evers called for automatic voter registration in his budget proposal, but this month, Republicans in the Joint Finance Committee voted to remove it from the budget.
Sixteen states have automatic voter registration.
The Republican-controlled Legislature would need to approve the bill.
