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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Black Political Empowerment Project v. Aichele: Notice Letter

Litigation Document See all

Pre-litigation notice letter concerning Pennsylvania's violations of Sec. 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more

Georgia NAACP v. Kemp: Settlement Agreement

Litigation Document See all

Settlement agreement in which Georgia public assistance agencies agree to comply with voter registration requirements of the National Voter Registration Act. Read more

Valdez v. Duran: Tenth Circuit Court Opinion

Litigation Document See all

Court of Appeals Opinion affirming district court decisions in Valdez v. Duran Read more

Georgia NAACP v. Kemp – Order Denying Motion to Dismiss

Litigation Document See all

Order Denying Motion to Dismiss Read more

NAACP v. Galvin: Notice Letter

Litigation Document See all

Pre-litigation notice letter concerning Massachusett's violations of Sec. 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more

Scott v. Schedler: Order Denying Motion to Dismiss

Litigation Document See all

Order Denying Motion to Dismiss Read more

Valdez v. Duran: Settlement Agreement

Litigation Document See all

Settlement agreement pertaining to Section 5 (motor vehicle offices) claims in Valdez v. Duran Read more

Scott v. Schedler: Complaint

Litigation Document See all

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

Notice Letter to Texas on NVRA Violations

Litigation Document See all

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

Georgia NAACP v. Kemp: Notice Letter

Litigation Document See all

Pre-litigation notice letter informing Secretary of State Brian Kemp that Georgia public assistance agencies were not in compliance with Section 7 of the NVRA. Read more