A bill has been introduced to the North Carolina Senate that would establish automatic voter registration at Driver License Offices and college campuses.

Although the bill has received little discussion by lawmakers, supporters say Senate Bill 704 could have an extremely positive impact on election reform in North Carolina.

Orange County Democratic State Senator Valerie Foushee, who is co-sponsoring the bill along with three other Democrats, says that automatic registration would make voting a more inclusive process.

“It just expands the opportunities and the access to the ballot box by being able to register to vote in situations where people don’t normally know that that’s something they can do,” said Foushee.

The legislation states that when applying for a driver license, the clerk would have to ask you if you’d like to register to vote; the same would go for registering for community college or university courses.

One obstacle for this to become a reality would be upgrading the technology to make sure the different agencies would be compatible.

Voter fraud could also stand in its way, as a fail-safe method for insuring the person registering is who they say they are would be needed before this bill could be passed.

“I think part of what would concern some people is that there is an opportunity for a person to commit a felony,” Foushee said. “But the law does state that misrepresenting yourself is a felony, and you can be charged for that.”

Still, similar legislation has been passed in other states, which have seen higher voter turnout.

“That’s what we want in a democracy,” said Foushee, “that every eligible person is registered, and every eligible person has access to the ballot box. For me, that’s the ultimate goal.”

The bill was filed during the January special session of the General Assembly and has been referred to the Rules and Operations committee.

Related Stories
‹
Here Are the Important Dates to Know for 2023 Election Season in Orange, Chatham Counties
What are the dates and deadlines Orange and Chatham County voters should know for the 2023 municipal election cycle?
Early Voting Begins for Orange County Elections
After months of campaigns, voting for the 2019 elections begins Wednesday, October 16, as Orange County residents make their choices for municipal races and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School Board. The Board of Elections office in Hillsborough on South Cameron Street is the first early voting location to open this election cycle. The other early […]
Local House Rep Introduces Bill to Expand Voter Registration in North Carolina
Local House Representative Graig Meyer led a coalition of Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday announcing a counterproposal to voter ID legislation currently moving through the General Assembly. “This is the House Democrat’s proposal to respond to the Republican’s efforts to install voter ID,” Meyer said at a press conference at the legislative building, “and our efforts […]
BOCC Imposes New Zoning Over Community Opposition
In the biggest reflection of how business will be done in this new era of dedication to economic development as the County’s number one priority, the Count Commissioners voted 5-2 to rezone the Eno Economic Development District (EDD) for commercial use. This EDD was created about twenty years ago and has existed only in the […]
Orange County: Commissioner Jean Hamilton and NC State Representative Renee Price
Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jean Hamilton and North Carolina District 50 Representative Renee Price joined 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, September 30th, as part of a special presentation of The Forum on The Hill. They discussed the proposed constitutional amendment requiring limits on property tax increases by local governments, which will appear on the ballot in November. They discussed the mechanism of the proposed law the way it is currently written, and outlined the possible outcomes and implications if the amendment were to pass, and more.
Conversations We Need to Have - Orange County Civil Rights Officer Paul Slack
Orange County Civil Rights Officer Paul Slack spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, September 29. He discussed the work his office has been working on, including increasing communication and accountability systems. He also discussed upcoming Hispanic Heritage Month activities, a partnership with Orange County Schools, and more.
Local Government Meetings: September 28-October 2, 2026
This week in local government: Tongde Wu officially takes her oath of office as the newest member of the CHCCS school board.
On Air Today: Orange County's Housing Choice Voucher Waitlist
Orange County's Housing Choice Voucher Waitlist is now open! You have until 5 p.m. Friday, October 2 to apply.
Judge Acquits UNC Campus Shooter After Experts Agree on Tailei Qi's Insanity
Roughly 37 months after a campus shooting left a UNC professor dead, the shooter is acquitted from his murder charges on an insanity plea.
Orange County Reports Rabid Skunk After Altercation in Mebane
Orange County Animal Services has confirmed a positive rabies test on a skunk seen in Mebane Tuesday. According to OCAS, an initial report was made after the skunk had an altercation with two dogs in the area around Whitaker Road, southeast of downtown Mebane. The skunk was then retrieved for testing, which confirmed the presence […]
›