Issues with green card holders in automatic voter registration by DMV

[ehrnst]

If you have a green card, or know someone who is a green card holder, and you/they live in a state with automatic voter registration, be very sure that the DMV doesn't mistakenly register you.

This happened to my neighbor's friend in Vermont.


"My old friend Luke (who is a permanent resident/green card holder) received a letter from the his town clerk saying that he was now registered to vote, which is weird because he has never registered to vote! He has always known that he isn't allowed to vote until he becomes a US citizen. His wife, my friend Becca, looked online and discovered it's a crime to register to vote as a non-citizen and could result in deportation.

There was a Voter Registration Certificate included with the letter which named the DMV as the agency who registered him. So Luke called the DMV. The person who spoke with him there said they've been getting many calls about this from other people with the same issue and that these calls just started this week.

Their records show that Luke hasn't visited the DMV since 2013 and they don't know how he became registered to vote. The date on the registration certificate says he registered to vote on January 23rd, 2017. The DMV told him he should call the city and get his name removed from the registered voter list ASAP, which he did. "

This could be VERY problematic if the current administration starts looking for ways to deport legal residents, and supress voter registration.

[SoCalNative]

1. So the issues started from January 23rd?

think about it..someone is trying to add fuel to Drumpf's voter fraud fire

[HoneyBadger]

2. Am on jury duty currently and about 4 out of 70 were disqualified

For not being citizens. This is in a city that could fit Vermont in 10 blocks. So it is not just voter registration that gets affected most likely.

I do blame "Luke" as he probably checked a box incorrectly.

[herding cats]

4. He hadn't been to the DMV since 2013

And the DMV said they'd been been getting many calls about the same issue all starting this week.

That doesn't sound like a Luke clicked a wrong box to me.

[LanternWaste]

5. I also blame people for stuff I can only imagine they did.

I also blame people for stuff I can only imagine they did-- it's both mentally and ethically convenient.

[HoneyBadger]

7. Like OP blaming the DMV

[herding cats]

6. ehrnst, it may be a good idea for you to speak with the reporter above.

ProPublica does some great investigative work. Maybe put your friend in touch with them at least?

[ehrnst]

8. That is in motion. Thanks! (nt)