A federal judge in Texas ruled that state authorities are violating a federal law by not letting Texans register to vote online when they apply for drivers’ licenses.
U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia wrote in a 68-page ruling on Aug. 28 (pdf) that the state’s restriction was breaking the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), dubbed the “motor voter” law, which orders states to allow residents to register to vote when applying for or renewing their driver’s licenses. When Texans use the state’s online driver’s license system to apply for or renew their driving permit, they can’t simultaneously register to vote but must instead print out a blank voter registration form, fill it out, and send to their county registrar. The state’s Department of Safety (DPS) complies with the law when residents go to renew their licenses in person.
