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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Unequal Access: Neglecting the National Voter Registration Act, 1995-2007
This 2008 report—co-authored by Demos and Project Vote as part of their joint effort to improve National Voter Registration Act implementation nationwide—examines in details the national decline in voter registration at public assistance agencies, and details the potential of the NVRA to increase registration among low-income citizens. Read more
Notice Letter to Arizona on NVRA Violations
Pre-litigation notice Letter to the Arizona Secretary of State concerning compliance with Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more
Sign-up of voters lacking, group says: Federal law requires aid agencies to help their clients register
Colorado human service agencies have been violating federal law because they are failing to help register people to vote, according to a national report released Monday Read more
New Report Examines Colorado’s Compliance with Federal Voting Law
A new report by the voting rights organization Project Vote finds that Colorado has been failing to meet the requirement of a federal voting law—the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA)—that requires state agencies to offer voter registration services to citizens when they apply for public assistance. Read more
Project Vote and Demos Notify Missouri Department of Social Services of Voting Rights Violations
Today, Project Vote and Demos, representing the community group ACORN, sent a letter of intent to sue the Missouri Department of Social Services if the state doesn’t comply with a requirement of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) to provide voter registration opportunities in public assistance offices. Read more
ACORN v. Levy: Notice Letter
Pre-litigation notice letter concerning Missouri's violations of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more
WA Governor Gregoire Signs Executive Order to Better Implement National Voter Registration Act
On July 4, Washington Governor Christine Gregoire signed an executive order to better implement the federal National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), a move which should help thousands of low-income Washingtonians become registered voters. Read more
Justice Department’s Failure to Enforce National Voter Registration Act Underscored by New Report
Late last week, the federal Election Assistance Commission (EAC) published its biennial report (PDF) to Congress on the impact of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA). Read more
Project Vote & Demos notify New Mexico of Voting Rights Law Violations
New Mexico is failing to meet requirements of a federal voting rights law, according to a letter sent by Project Vote and Dēmos to Secretary of State Mary Hererra on behalf of Project Vote and the New Mexico chapter of the community organization ACORN. Read more
Harkless v. Brunner (Ohio)
In September 2006 Project Vote and partners filed a lawsuit against officials in the state of Ohio alleging widespread violations of Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more