Voter registration: California New Motor Voter Program.

Assembly Member Essayli's proposal to modify California's New Motor Voter Program would prevent the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) from offering voter registration opportunities to individuals who present documentation of non-citizenship during driver's license transactions. The measure amends existing procedures that require the DMV to transmit voter registration information to the Secretary of State's office.

Under the proposed changes, when an individual provides documentation showing they are not a U.S. citizen during a DMV transaction, the department would be prohibited from offering them the opportunity to attest to voter eligibility requirements. The DMV would also be barred from transmitting these individuals' records to the Secretary of State for voter registration purposes. The current system requires the DMV to electronically transfer specified information, including name, date of birth, residence address, and contact details, to the Secretary of State for all driver's license applicants unless they actively decline registration.

The bill maintains existing data privacy protections, including restrictions on the sale or transfer of voter information to third parties without DMV approval. It preserves requirements for the DMV and Secretary of State to maintain an interagency agreement detailing their cooperation procedures, with public posting of non-security-sensitive portions. Implementation timelines remain tied to the completion of the state's Digital eXperience Platform project or July 2025, whichever occurs first.