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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Federal Court: Ohio State Officials Responsible for Implementing National Voter Registration Laws
According to a unanimous federal appeals court decision, the state of Ohio may no longer shirk its responsibility to ensure that low-income citizens are offered the opportunity to register to vote, as required by federal law. Read more
Harkless v. Brunner: Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Opinion
Decision in Harkless v. Brunner, establishing an important precedent that state officials have ultimate responsibility for compliance with the NVRA. Read more
Federal Court Orders Mo. Dept. of Social Services to Comply with Federal Voter Registration Law
United States District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey issued an order yesterday, July 15, 2008, directing the Missouri Department of Social Services immediately to comply with a federal law requiring agencies to provide voter registration applications and assistance to their clients. Read more
Project Vote Statement on NVRA Agreement Between the DOJ and the State of Arizona
A pivotal agreement was reached yesterday between the Arizona’s Department of Economic Security (DES) and the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) to implement federal law that requires the state to provide voter registration services at public assistance agencies. Read more
Settlement Agreement between AZ DES and DOJ
An agreement reached between the Arizona’s Department of Economic Security (DES) and the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) to implement federal law that requires the state to provide voter registration services at public assistance agencies. Read more
Research Memo: NVRA Public Agency Registration Field Research Results
A report on the results of field research of NVRA-required voter registration servicesat sixty-three public assistance offices in the following seven states: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington. Read more
ACORN v. Levy (Missouri)
ACORN v. Levy (formerly ACORN v. Scott) is a lawsuit filed in Kansas City, Missouri charging Deborah Scott, director of... Read more
Lawsuit Filed to Compel Missouri Public Assistance Agencies to Offer Voter Registration Services
The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) and St. Louis resident Dionne O’Neal have filed a federal lawsuit today charging that the state of Missouri has failed to provide voter registration services to clients of state public assistance agencies, as required by the federal National Voter Registration Act ("NVRA"). Read more
Congress Examines States’ Failure to Follow National Voter Registration Act
The House Committee on Administration’s Subcommittee on Elections will hold a hearing to examine state compliance with a federal law, the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA)… Read more
Low-Income Americans Denied Voter Registration Opportunities, New Report Shows
As the nation prepares for the 2008 election, a new study reveals that many states are routinely failing to offer low-income Americans an opportunity to register to vote as required by the federal National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more