SECTION 230:15-5-100. Voter registration application services provided with driver license services at Department of Public Safety facilities and at motor license agencies

(a)   Voter registration application services required. Both federal and state law require that an application for a new driver license in Oklahoma shall be a simultaneous application for voter registration unless the driver license applicant specifically opts out of voter registration. The choice to opt out of voter registration shall be indicated in writing.

(b)   New driver license. Each person who applies for a new Oklahoma driver license or a new state identification card at a Department of Public Safety facility shall be provided with simultaneous voter registration services as mandated by the National Voter Registration Act [52 USC '20504] and by state law. [26:4-109.3] An application submitted for a new driver license or new state identification card shall serve as an application for voter registration unless the applicant fails to sign the voter registration application. A Department of Public Safety driver license examiner enters information provided by each driver license applicant into the Department of Public Safety system. Information that is common to both the driver license and voter registration applications then prints on a voter registration application form unless the applicant has opted not to apply for voter registration. The examiner gives the applicant the voter registration application form and instructs the applicant to verify that all information is correct and to select a political affiliation, to enter information about previous voter registration in the spaces provided, to read the oath, and to sign and date the form. The examiner takes the signed voter registration application from the applicant and sends it by mail to the State Election Board as described in 230:15-5-108. When a new driver license recipient subsequently appears at a motor license agency to have his or her driver license made, motor license agency personnel are not required to repeat the offer of voter registration services.

(c)   Driver license renewal. Each person who renews an Oklahoma driver license or a state identification card at a motor license agency shall be offered the opportunity by motor license agency personnel to register to vote by filling out and signing a paper copy of the Oklahoma Voter Registration Application form. Motor license agency personnel shall accept such completed and signed applications and shall send them by mail to the State Election Board as outlined in 230:15-5-108.

(d)   Driver license change of address or name. A change of address or name for a driver license or state identification card submitted in person at a motor license agency or a change of address submitted online through the Department of Public Safety website also shall serve as a simultaneous change of address for voter registration purposes if the new address is located within the same county where the voter is currently registered to vote unless the applicant opts out of voter registration. However, the County Election Board shall not be authorized to change the name of a registered voter based only upon an electronic submission of data from the Department of Public Safety. See 230:15-5-102.1(c).

[Source: Added at 12 Ok Reg 2197, eff 7-1-95; Amended at 33 Ok Reg 71, eff 8-24-15 (emergency); Amended at 33 Ok Reg 1404, eff 9-11-16; Amended at 35 Ok Reg 559, eff 3-15-18 (emergency); Amended at 35 Ok Reg 1185, eff 9-14-18]