Secretary of the State Denise Merrill is contesting Republican legislative leader claims that it was improper for her to strike a deal with the Department of Motor Vehicles to develop a system that automatically registers to vote anyone renewing a license. Republicans said she had circumvented the legislative approval process.
Through a spokesman, Merrill said she had proposed legislation and gave detailed testimony at a public hearing on the matter. The Government Administration and Elections Committee approved a bill requiring her office and DMV to collaborate, but the bill died in the Transportation Committee. She said the functions outlined are administrative and covered in a memorandum of understanding with the Justice Department. Federal officials have questioned the state’s compliance with voter registration through DMV.
Merrill said, “The proposed streamlined motor-voter system would help us comply with federal law while also greatly improving customer service. Why should someone have to go to both the DMV and town hall to update registrations when it can be done in one single transaction?”
Senate Republicans proposed a plan to help ensure current state voter registration laws are enforced without placing added burdens on DMV. The Republican proposal is an alternative to the automatic motor voter registration system proposed by Merrill.
They said instead of pursuing the automatic computer system, which failed to garner legislative approval and was initially met with opposition by the DMV due to its cost and customer service challenges, Republicans are proposing the DMV and Secretary of the State work together to enforce the current motor voter registration system with new protocols.
