Register New Residents Act

Summary: The Register New Residents Act requires that landlords and home sellers provide voter registration forms and information to new tenants and homeowners.

Based on Seattle CB 118993 (2017)

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE

This Act shall be called the “Register New Residents Act.”

SECTION 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE

(A) FINDINGS—The legislature finds that:

  1. Whenever people move, they should register to vote or update their preexisting voter registration.
  2. More than 10 percent of Americans, and more than 20 percent of renters, move every year.
  3. Studies demonstrate that there tends to be low voter participation among residents who have recently moved.
  4. Providing voter registration information to residents who have recently moved will tend to increase voter participation and thereby strengthen democracy.

(B) PURPOSE—This law is enacted to increase voter participation and strengthen democracy.

SECTION 3. REGISTER NEW RESIDENTS

After section XXX, the following new section XXX shall be inserted:

(A) VOTER REGISTRATION PACKET—The [Registrar of Elections] shall create a voter registration packet appropriate for new tenants and homeowners which shall include, at a minimum, a voter registration form, instructions for filling it out, and an explanation of the need for those already registered to file a change of address.

(B) DELIVERY OF VOTER REGISTRATION PACKET BY LANDLORDS—Whenever a tenant signs a lease to move into a new residence, or if there is no lease when a tenant makes his or her first payment, the landlord shall deliver to the tenant the voter registration packet designated by the [Registrar of Elections].

(C) DELIVERY OF VOTER REGISTRATION PACKET BY SELLERS—Whenever a person signs a deed to purchase a residence, the person conducting the real estate closing shall deliver to the purchaser the voter registration packet designated by the [Registrar of Elections].

(D) ENFORCEMENT—The [landlord-tenant agency] and the [real estate commission] shall promulgate rules to enforce this section. Such rules shall include penalties which at a minimum shall include a fine of $500 for each violation.

SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE

This law shall become effective on July 1, 20XX.

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