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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Voting rights groups say Alabama agencies not obeying federal voter registration laws
A coalition of voting rights and civil rights groups is alleging that Alabama is not meeting the law in providing voter registration materials to residents who seek government assistance. Read more
Voting Rights Groups Move to Hold Alabama Accountable to Federal Voter Registration Law
Today attorneys from Demos, Project Vote, and the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law sent a pre-litigation notice letter to the Alabama Secretary of State on behalf of the Alabama State Conference of the NAACP. Read more
Voting rights groups sue Nevada over registration
Voting advocacy groups are suing Nevada, alleging the state is violating the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 by refusing to help low-income residents register to vote. Read more
National Voting Rights Organizations Begin Litigation to Enforce National Voter Registration Act in Nevada
On Monday, a coalition of national voting rights groups filed a Complaint against Secretary of State Ross Miller and Director of the department of Health & Human Services, Michael Willden in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada. Read more
Notice Letter to Florida on NVRA Violations
Pre-litigation notice Letter to the Florida's Secretary of State concerning compliance with Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more
Notice Letter to Arkansas on NVRA Violations
Pre-litigation notice Letter to the Arkansas Secretary of State concerning compliance with Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more
National Council of La Raza v. Miller (Nevada)
In June 2012, Project Vote and its partners filed a Complaint against Nevada's Secretary of State and the state's Department of Health & Human Services, alleging that the state has systematically failed to comply with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more
National Council of La Raza v. Miller: Complaint
Complaint filed against Secretary of State Ross Miller and Director of the Department of Health & Human Services, Michael Willden, alleging that the state has systematically failed to comply with Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more
NAACP v. Galvin (Massachusetts)
In May 2012, Project Vote and its partners filed a lawsuit charging the Secretary of the Commonwealth and the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) with violating their federally mandated responsibilities to offer all public assistance clients the opportunity to register to vote. Read more
NAACP v Galvin: Complaint
Lawsuit filed on behalf of NAACP-NEAC and New England United for Justice, and an individual plaintiff, charging that Massachusetts public agencies are failing to comply with the NVRA. Read more