BOSTON -- The Massachusetts Senate passed automatic voter registration on Thursday, moving the bill one step closer to Gov. Charlie Baker's desk.
The bill already passed the House, but differences between the bills will still have to be reconciled before a final version reaches the governor. It passed the Senate unanimously, 38-0.
"It should be the state's burden to register voters - not yours," said Senate President Harriette Chandler, D-Worcester, in a statement. Chandler said long work hours and confusion about the voter registration process are barriers for many citizens.
Under the bill, H.4671, any adult Massachusetts citizen who completes a transaction at the Registry of Motor Vehicles or signs up for MassHealth would be automatically registered to vote. People could still choose to opt out.
The goal is to get more eligible voters onto the rolls. Supporters of the bill estimate that up to 680,000 eligible voters could eventually become registered to vote.
The bill would be implemented in time for the 2020 elections.
Baker has not yet taken a position on the bill. Lawmakers must get the bill to his desk by July 21 if they want to avoid being in a position where they are no longer in session to override a potential veto.
If the bill becomes law, Massachusetts would become the 14th state to have some form of automatic voter registration.
"Automatic voter registration will make voting more accurate, more secure, and more available to all. That's good for democracy, for election security, and for voters," said Pam Wilmot, executive director of Common Cause Massachusetts, in a statement.
Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin said he is "ready to begin preparing for implementation of this crucial voting reform as soon as this bill is signed into law."
Victims of domestic violence who are enrolled in an existing address confidentiality program will be able to register to vote without their address becoming public.
The legislation also increases the penalty for voter fraud, making it punishable by a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for up to five years.