On March 8, the Vermont House unanimously passed HB 458. It provides that every adult citizen known to state agencies to be a Vermont resident will automatically be registered to vote. Such individuals will be notified that they have been placed on the rolls, and will then be given a chance to opt out. Vermont does not have registration by party, which makes this process simpler than in states that have registration by party.

The bill is sponsored by Representative Christopher Pearson (Progressive-Vermont). Thanks to Electionline for this news. The bill now goes to the Senate. The bill had been introduced an entire year ago.

On March 2, New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez signed HB 138. It lets 17-year-olds vote in primaries for all office if they will be age 18 by the general election. There are now 16 states that permit this for all office, and 22 who permit it for president. See this Ballotpedia list.

The New Mexico bill does not go into effect this year. Thanks to Doug Carver for this news.

Bebe Heiskell, County Commissioner for Walker County, Georgia, will leave the Republican Party and run for re-election as an independent this year. She has been the sole commissioner for Walker County starting in 2000. See this story.

Walker County is in northwest Georgia and has a population of 68,756. The main town is LaFayette.