Government Agency Registration

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 Advocates Settle Long-Running Voter Registration Suit

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MassHealth, EOHHS, and SOC Agree To Remedy NVRA Compliance Problems Read more

Voting Rights Advocates Settle Long-Running Voter Registration Suit

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Voting rights advocates and Massachusetts officials announced today that settlements have been reached in a three-year old federal lawsuit regarding the requirement to provide voter registration opportunities to low-income citizens who receive public assistance benefits. Read more

Notice Letter to North Carolina on NVRA Section 5 Violations

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Pre-litigation notice Letter to the North Carolina State Board of Elections concerning compliance with Section 5 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more

Letter to NC State Board of Elections on DMV Compliance

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Notice letter to Kim Strach, Executive Director of North Carolina State Board of Elections, concerning NVRA violations by motor vehicle departments. Read more

North Carolina in Violation of “Motor Voter” Law

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Today’s letter—sent on behalf of the individuals and voting rights groups by attorneys from Dēmos, Project Vote, and the Southern Coalition for Social Justice—cites clear evidence that the DMV is violating its legal requirement to provide voter registration services... Read more

Voter Registrations Drop Sharply at N.C. Public Assistance Agencies

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According to a notice letter sent today, voter registration applications initiated at public assistance agencies have dropped dramatically since Gov. Pat McCrory took office. Read more

Notice Letter to North Carolina on NVRA Section 7 Violations

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Pre-litigation notice Letter to the North Carolina State Board of Elections concerning compliance with Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more

Suit threatened over NC voting access; DHHS, Elections Board say they’ll investigate

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Four national and state voting-rights organizations are threatening to sue North Carolina for what they contend are Gov. Pat McCrory administration’s violations of a federal law that requires the state to help poor people register to vote. Read more

Advocates say NC is failing to register public benefit recipients as voters

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"The right to vote is fundamental. North Carolina should be doing everything in its power to provide low-income individuals the opportunity to register," said Catherine M. Flanagan, senior counsel for Project Vote. Read more

Voting Rights Advocates Call on North Carolina to Take Action after Voter Registrations Drop Sharply at State Public Assistance Agencies

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According to the letter, voter registration applications initiated at public assistance agencies have dropped dramatically since Gov. Pat McCrory took office. Read more