Modernize Texas Elections: Expand Online Voter Registration!

The Texas Legislature

Beginning in September 2020, upon the order of a federal judge in Stringer v. Hughs, the Department of Public Safety began offering online voter registration simultaneously as part of online drivers license transactions.

To date, over 934,000 Texans have updated their voter registration online thru this DPS portal, with June 2021 being the highest month of usage yet. Every Texan should be able to avail themselves of this system, which DPS reported is working well and without complication.

Online Voter Registration is efficient, it is secure, and it allows for as close to real-time updates as possible. It is the biggest tool in the toolbox we have to modernize our elections and ensure the accuracy of our voter rolls. Over 40 states, both Republican and Democratic, offer online voter registration. The time for Texas to act is now.

How does Online Voter Registration work in Texas right now?

  • Applicants can register or update their registration online as part of a drivers license transaction through the Department of Public Safety.
  • Applicants must provide information in a system that has front end data validation as well as safeguards such as captcha, eliminating clerical errors and transcription issues associated with manual processing of paper applications by registrars.
  • Applications are sent by DPS to the Secretary of State's office daily for processing, eliminating the delays entailed in applications being mailed and delivered before manual processing.
  • DPS is now the largest source of voter registration in Texas.

To: The Texas Legislature
From: [Your Name]

Dear members of the Texas Legislature,

I'm writing today to ask that you expand the existing Department of Public Safety portal to allow any Texan to use their drivers license or other DPS ID Card to register to vote or update their voter registration online.

To date, over 934,000 Texans have used the DPS portal to update their voter registration since a federal judge ordered the state of Texas to allow for simultaneous, online registration as part of driver license transactions. Every eligible Texan should be able to use this system, which DPS reported is working well and without complication.

Online Voter Registration has been implemented in 40 states, including Kentucky, Louisiana, and Florida. It is safe, secure, efficient, and allows for as close to real time updates as possible. It is the biggest tool in the toolbox to modernize our elections and ensure the accuracy of our voter rolls.

Please expand Online Voter Registration as part of the 87th First Called Special Session. And let's bring Texas' elections into the 21st century.