AB-1077 • 2026

Voter registration: California New Motor Voter Program.

Elections

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Essayli
Last action: 2026-02-02
Official status: From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide information about how the DMV will handle address changes for non-citizens, nor does it specify what happens to people who are already registered but are not U.S. citizens.

California New Motor Voter Program Changes

This law changes how non-U.S. citizens can apply for a driver's license or ID card in California and affects their voter registration opportunities.

What This Bill Does

Prohibits the DMV from giving people who are not U.S. citizens an opportunity to attest to meeting voter eligibility requirements when applying for a driver’s license or ID card.
Prevents the DMV from sending information about non-U.S. citizens to the Secretary of State, which is needed for voter registration.

Who It Names or Affects

People who are not U.S. citizens applying for a driver's license or ID card in California.
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Secretary of State.

Terms To Know

California New Motor Voter Program: A program that helps people register to vote when they apply for a driver’s license or ID card at the DMV.
Secretary of State: The person in charge of elections and voter registration in California.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not address what happens to people who are already registered to vote but are not U.S. citizens.
Doesn't explain how the DMV will handle address changes for non-citizens.
The bill does not include an effective date, so it's unclear when these rules would start.

Bill History

2026-02-02 California Legislative Information
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
2026-01-31 California Legislative Information
Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
2025-04-07 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
2025-03-10 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on ELECTIONS and TRANS.
2025-02-21 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
2025-02-20 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1077, as introduced, Essayli.
Voter registration: California New Motor Voter Program.
Existing law requires, in conformance with federal law, that the Secretary of State and the Department of Motor Vehicles establish and implement the California New Motor Voter Program for the purpose of increasing opportunities for voter registration for qualified voters. Existing law requires the department to transmit to the Secretary of State specified information related to a person’s eligibility to vote, which the person provides when applying for a driver’s license or identification card or when the person notifies the department of an address change. Existing law requires that if this information transmitted to the Secretary of State constitutes a completed affidavit of registration, the Secretary of State must register or preregister the person to vote, as applicable, unless the person affirmatively declines to register or is ineligible to vote, as specified.
This bill would prohibit the department from providing a person the opportunity to attest to meeting voter eligibility requirements when they submit a driver’s license application if the person provides a document to the department during the transaction demonstrating that the person is not a United States citizen, and would prohibit the department from providing records of that person to the Secretary of State.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF