Congress passed the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) in 1993 to increase the number of citizens registered to vote in Federal elections.
One of the most important ways the NVRA was designed to increase registration was by ensuring that citizens are offered the opportunity to register to vote at places where they interact with the government: at motor vehicle offices and public assistance offices (such as those that provide Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Medicaid).
However, since the implementation of the NVRA in 1995–1996, many states have been neglecting the voter registration provisions of the law. Project Vote works to enforce the NVRA’s requirements, and ensure that all citizens are provided with the voter registration assistance they are guaranteed under the law.
The Government Agency Registration Program assists states, social service agencies, motor vehicle offices, and election officials with implementation of the NVRA’s requirements. In addition to technical assistance, the Program conducts research, documents noncompliance and, when necessary, initiates litigation to enforce the NVRA.
Additionally, the Government Agency Registration Program works to expand voter registration opportunities at other places where eligible citizens interact with their government, such as immigration offices and health benefits providers.
Voter registration drives will always have an essential role to play in our democracy, but the responsibility to register eligible Americans to vote must rest first and foremost on the government.
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Lawsuit claimed as reason more voters registering
The number of applications filed through state agencies represents a dramatic increase of 384 percent over the previous two-year period. Read more
More Hoosiers Registered To Vote After Federal Law Enacted
More than 53,000 low-income Hoosiers have registered to vote since the federal lawsuit was settled in 2011. Read more
Nearly 400,000 Low-Income Ohioans Apply to Register to Vote
A dramatic increase in voter registration applications from public assistance agencies is the result of a successful lawsuit brought by voting rights groups to bring the state into compliance with the NVRA. Read more
Report Cites Rise In Voter Registrations Following Suit
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission report says that 53,000 low-income Hoosiers either applied to register or updated their registrations from 2011 to 2012. Read more
More Hoosiers register to vote through public assistance offices
According to Project Vote, a Washington D.C.-based non-profit organization that works to empower, educate and mobilize marginalized and under-represented voters, the increase is the result of a lawsuit settled in 2011. Read more
Nearly 53,000 Low-Income Indianans Apply to Register to Vote
A dramatic increase in voter registration applications from public assistance agencies is the result of a successful lawsuit brought by voting rights groups to bring the state into compliance with the NVRA. Read more
Nearly 30,000 low-income Louisianans apply to register to vote
“These data show that Louisianans want to register and will register to vote when given the opportunity.” Read more
Nearly 18,000 Low-Income Georgians Apply to Register to Vote
A dramatic increase in voter registration applications from public assistance agencies is the result of a successful lawsuit brought by voting rights groups to bring the state into compliance with the NVRA. Read more
Nearly 30,000 Low-Income Louisianans Apply to Register to Vote
A dramatic increase in voter registration applications from public assistance agencies is the result of a successful lawsuit brought by voting rights groups to bring the state into compliance with the NVRA. Read more
Group: Voter registration grew at assistance sites
Thousands of low-income Louisiana residents have registered to vote because of its pressure on state public assistance agencies to provide the applications. Read more