There is a story going around about how California recently created a law that automatically registers people to vote when they get their drivers license and, since California provides drivers licenses to illegal immigrants, it will enroll illegal immigrants to vote.

The part about automatic registration is true, but the idea that somehow non-citizens will be allowed to vote is more typical right wing fear mongering.

When you get your license and register to vote, you need to prove your date of birth and provide the last four digits of your social security number. Proving your date of birth requires an official government document such as a birth certificate or passport. Of course someone that is undocumented won’t have such documents from the US, so it simply won’t work. Additionally, the state board of elections verifies that last four digits of your social security number with your name before you can be registered to vote. So if someone doesn’t have a valid social security number that matches their name, it won’t work.

You cannot get a social security number in your name without proving that you are a citizen or that you are here legally. Therefore, I’m completely at a loss how someone can apply for a drivers license and also register to vote if they are an illegal immigrant.

Additionally, drivers licenses for those here illegally are specially marked.

The claim appears to be based largely on fear mongering taking advantage of ignorance of the law and of what is required to get a drivers license and to register to vote.

http://www.snopes.com/california-motor-voter-act/

FALSE: California Passed a Law Allowing Undocumented Immigrants to Vote in…
SNOPES.COM|BY DAN EVON