The Register America to Vote Act would require every state to develop and implement a process that automatically registers eligible citizens to vote when they turn 18 

Minnesota is among the 32 states where automatic voter registration bills have been introduced; Last year Minnesotans turned out to vote at the highest rate of any state in the country

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, the Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee with oversight jurisdiction over federal elections, has introduced legislation to automatically register voters. The Register America to Vote Act would ensure that every state develops and implements a secure process to automatically register eligible citizens to vote when they turn 18. Minnesota is among the 32 states where automatic voter registration bill have been introduced. Last year Minnesotans turned out to vote at the highest rate of any state in the country with 81 percent of registered voters casting a ballot.

“Voting is how Americans ensure that their elected leaders are held accountable and their voices are heard. With less than a year until the next federal election, we should be doing everything we can to encourage participation in elections and strengthen the right to vote,” Klobuchar said. “Automatic voter registration is an important way to do that. My bill would provide states with the resources they need to make sure we get eligible voters registered and our voter registration systems are secure.”

The Register America to Vote Act would also provide states with resources to implement automatic voter registration in a way that protects the security of voter registration and election systems.

Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) are cosponsors of the legislation.

Throughout her time in the Senate, Klobuchar has been fighting to protect voting rights for all Americans. In June, Klobuchar introduced the Helping State and Local Governments Prevent Cyber Attacks Act, which streamlines voter registration for Americans that move and increases access to online voter registration. She has also introduced the Same Day Registration Act with Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) to require states to allow people to register to vote on the same day as the election.