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.

Most Recent / Relevant Items

Advanced Filters and Sorting

52 results returned

Scott v. Schedler: Complaint Exhibit 1: Notice Letter

Litigation Document See all

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

Valdez v. Duran: Memorandum Opinion and Order

Litigation Document See all

Order denying defendants' motions for summary judgment and granting plaintiff's motion for summary judgment. Read more

Valdez v. Duran: Amended Complaint

Litigation Document See all

Amended Complaint Read more

Harkless v. Brunner: Signed Settlement Agreement

Litigation Document See all

Signed settlement agreement providing for institutionalization of voter registration services in Ohio public assistance agencies, in compliance with the NVRA. Read more

Indiana State Conference of NAACP v. Gargano: Settlement Agreement

Litigation Document See all

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

ACORN v. Levy: Settlement Agreement

Litigation Document See all

Settlement agreement in which Missouri Department of Social Services agrees to provide voter registration services to public assistance clients as required by the National Voter Registration Act. Read more

Indiana State Conference of NAACP v. Gargano: Notice Letter

Litigation Document See all

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

Harkless v. Brunner: Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Opinion

Litigation Document See all

Decision in Harkless v. Brunner, establishing an important precedent that state officials have ultimate responsibility for compliance with the NVRA. Read more

Settlement Agreement between AZ DES and DOJ

Litigation Document See all

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

Notice Letter to Arizona on NVRA Violations

Litigation Document See all

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