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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Louisiana Federal Court Upholds the Spirit and Letter of the NVRA
In an exhaustive opinion handed down in Louisiana, a federal district court basically held that mere lip service to the public assistance provisions of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) is not an option. Read more
Families USA Offers Voter Registration Webinar for Health Exchange Assisters
Drawing on Project Vote resources, Families USA recently provided a webinar reminding ACA Assisters that they can serve another important role: helping clients register to vote. Read more
Automatic Voter Registration and the NVRA: A New Report (and a Podcast) Explains
Today we are proud to release Automatic Voter Registration: Two NVRA-Compliant Models, by election counsel Niyati Shah, and an audio... Read more
Project Vote Welcomes Summer 2016 Interns
Project Vote is pleased to welcome three interns for the summer of 2016. Read more
Bridging the Latino Voter Registration Gap Is More Crucial Than Ever
Twenty-three million Latinos are currently eligible to vote in the United States, but less than 14 million are registered, according to a new report by the NALEO Educational Fund yesterday. 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
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
Nevada Failing to Register Voters at DMV
In 2014, Nevada citizens like Eleanor Newell didn’t get to vote because the DMV where she registered to vote was... Read more
Conference Covers Voter Registration and Civil Rights Accomplishments
The National Association of Secretaries of State held their biannual conference in Washington, D.C. Friday. The conference featured many important... Read more