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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California DMV Takes Important First Steps Toward Improving Voter Registration Services
Although problems persist, voter registration for 2016 elections will be easier for some. Read more
Project Vote Welcomes New Staff
Project Vote welcomes new research director, LaShonda Brenson. Read more
One Fight Down, Another One Looms in Nevada
Nevada’s state of voter registration is currently a good news, bad news situation. Read more
New forms make it easier to register to vote in Montana
The Montana Vehicle Division has revamped many of its forms to help make it easier to register to vote, amid pressure from voter rights groups who said the state was not doing enough to comply with the national Motor Voter law. Read more
Advocates to Court: Protect Rights of N.C. Voters This November
North Carolina needs to follow the law before the state blocks more people from voting in November. Read more
Voting Rights Advocates Ask Court to Immediately Protect the Rights of N.C. Citizens to Vote in the 2016 Election
Yesterday, Project Vote and partners asked a federal judge to issue an interim order to prevent widespread disenfranchisement of North Carolina voters. Read more
Action NC et al v. Strach (North Carolina): Memo in Support of Preliminary Injunction
Project Vote and partners filed for a preliminary injunction to force North Carolina to immediately comply with Secs. 5 and 7 of the NVRA. Read more
Action NC et al v. Strach (North Carolina): Memo in Support of Expedited Discovery
A memo in support of expedited discovery in Action NC et al v. Strach. Read more
Nevada Officials Settle Voting-Rights Squabble
Nevada agreed to improve its efforts to abide by the National Voter Registration Act NVRA to settle a federal lawsuit filed by Project Vote and our partners. Read more
Nevada settles US lawsuit on behalf of low-income voters
The state of Nevada has agreed to new training and reporting requirements to settle a federal lawsuit accusing its public assistance offices of failing to do enough to help low-income clients register to vote. Read more