Governor Josh Shapiro has issued an executive order establishing automatic voter registration at PennDOT driver license and ID centers across Pennsylvania.
Under the new system, eligible residents obtaining or renewing a driver’s license or state ID will automatically be guided through the voter registration process. Previously, individuals had to opt in to register. Now, eligible residents will be registered unless they choose to opt out.
“Pennsylvania is the birthplace of our democracy, and as Governor, I’m committed to ensuring free and fair elections that allow every eligible voter to make their voice heard,” Shapiro said in a statement. “Automatic voter registration is a commonsense step to ensure election security and save Pennsylvanians time and tax dollars.”
Pennsylvania joins more than twenty other states that have implemented automatic voter registration to streamline the process, reduce administrative costs, and increase voter participation.
Research has found that automatic voter registration is associated with higher voter registration and turnout.
Automatic voter registration does not change eligibility requirements but helps ensure voter rolls remain accurate and up to date.
Residents can also register to vote online at vote.pa.gov/register.
