(a) Beginning as soon as practicable but no later than September 1, 2017, an applicant may submit an online voter registration application using the procedures set forth in this section.

(b) The coordinator of elections shall establish a web site which permits an applicant to:

(1) Submit a voter registration application, including first-time voter registration applications and updates to current voter registration records;

(2) Submit information necessary to establish an applicant's eligibility to vote, pursuant to § 2-2-104, which includes the information required for the uniform statewide voter registration application pursuant to § 2-2-116; and

(3) Swear or affirm to the oath required pursuant to § 2-2-116.

(c) The online voter registration system shall use a unique identifier for each applicant to prevent unauthorized persons from altering a voter's registration information. Any unique identifier, including driver license and social security numbers, shall be confidential and not subject to the open records law, compiled in title 10, chapter 7.

(d)

(1) The online voter registration system shall compare identifying information submitted by the applicant, such as name, date of birth, Tennessee driver license number, or Tennessee identification number, with information maintained by the department of safety to confirm that the applicant has a matching record with the department of safety.

(2) If the online voter registration system identifies a matching record for the applicant with the department of safety, then the applicant may complete the online voter registration form as prescribed by the coordinator of elections and electronically submit the form.

(3) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the department of safety and the coordinator of elections are authorized to retrieve the data applicable to the applicant's matching record and transmit such data to the automated electoral system (AES) maintained by the coordinator of elections pursuant to § 2-2-301, along with the digital signature of the applicant on file with the department of safety. The applicant's digital signature on file with the department of safety satisfies the signature requirement of § 2-2-116 for purposes of registering to vote or updating an existing voter registration record.

(4) If the applicant's name and date of birth or other identifying information provided by the applicant cannot be verified by comparing the records of the department of safety, or if the applicant indicates that the applicant has not been issued a Tennessee driver license or Tennessee identification card, the online voter registration system may direct the applicant to complete, print, sign, and date the application and mail the application to the county election commission office in the applicant's county of residence to be processed.

(5) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the administrator of elections shall process the application pursuant to § 2-2-120.

(e) The coordinator of elections may promulgate policies or rules to effectuate the provisions of this section, including, but not limited to, entering into agreements with the commissioner of safety.