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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Michigan Failing to Offer Voter Registration to Public Assistance Clients
Citing clear evidence that the State of Michigan is failing to provide low-income residents with a legally-mandated opportunity to register to vote, attorneys from voting rights groups informed state officials they must comply with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) or face litigation. Read more
Scott v. Schedler: Order Denying Motion to Dismiss
Order Denying Motion to Dismiss Read more
Federal Judge Rules that Lawsuit against the State of Louisiana Over Failure to Offer Voter Registration Services May Continue
Today, a federal court rejected the State of Louisiana's effort to dismiss a lawsuit regarding the State’s failure to offer public assistance recipients the opportunity to register vote. Read more
New EAC Report Shows Increased Voter Registration Among Low-Income Americans
A newly released review of a June 27 report by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) shows that voter registration application rates at state public assistance agencies have risen sharply following National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) enforcement actions by advocacy groups Demos, Project Vote, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and others. Read more
Valdez v. Duran: Settlement Agreement
Settlement agreement pertaining to Section 5 (motor vehicle offices) claims in Valdez v. Duran Read more
Georgia NAACP v. Kemp (2011)
In June 2011 Project Vote and partners filed a lawsuit against officials in Georgia over violations of Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more
Voting Rights Groups Sue Georgia for Neglecting Voting Rights of Low-Income Residents
A coalition of voting rights groups filed suit today against Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp and Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) Clyde J. Reese III to remedy the State of Georgia’s failure to provide voter registration services at state public assistance offices, as required by the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA). Read more
La. sued for disenfranchising minority and low-income voters
Louisiana is being sued for alleged non-compliance with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Inc. (LDF), Project Vote, and several private persons. Read more
Scott v. Schedler (Louisiana)
In April 2011 Project Vote and partners filed a lawsuit against officials in Louisiana for widespread violations of Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more
Scott v. Schedler: Complaint
Lawsuit filed by Louisiana State Conference of the NAACP and two individuals charging that Louisiana has failed to provide voter registration services to public assistance clients as required by the NVRA. Read more