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
- (252)
- (31)
- (10)
- (22)
- (52)
- (68)
- (76)
Advanced Filters and Sorting
As Secretary Burwell Starts Work, Fixing Voter Registration System in Health Benefits Exchanges Should Be a Top Priority
Congressional Progressive Caucus and voting rights groups call on new head of HHS to address violations of federal voting law. Read more
California Agrees to Comply with Voter Registration Law Under Settlement
In a victory for voting rights, California has agreed to mail voter registration cards to nearly 4 million Californians who signed up for health insurance through the state health exchange, and to ensure that the exchange provides voter registration opportunities going forward. Read more
Voting Rights Groups Applaud District Court’s Decision In Public Assistance Voter Registration Case
On Friday, the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a series of rulings in Delgado v. Galvin… Read more
Democracy Initiative Calls on President Obama to Bring Health Care Exchanges into Compliance with Federal Voter Registration Law
Today, the Democracy Initiative—a coalition of more than 40 organizations committed to strengthening American democracy—called on the president to ensure that millions of Americans applying for benefits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are also provided their federally-guaranteed opportunity to register to vote. Read more
Voting Rights Groups Call on Obama Administration to Bring Federal Health Care Exchanges into Compliance with Federal Law
Yesterday, in a letter to President Obama, leaders for nonprofit voting rights organizations Demos and Project Vote alerted the White House that the application process for benefits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) currently violates the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA). Read more
Alabama Agrees to Procedures to Ensure Voter Registration Opportunities at Public Assistance Agencies
Settlement agreements intend to address deficiencies in Alabama's provision of voter registration services and guarantee compliance with Section 7 of the NVRA. Read more
New Jersey Failing to Offer Voter Registration to Low-Income Residents
A notification letter sent today calls on New Jersey to take corrective action necessary to comply with the NVRA or face possible litigation. Read more
Nearly 400,000 Low-Income Ohioans Apply to Register to Vote
A dramatic increase in voter registration applications from public assistance agencies is the result of a successful lawsuit brought by voting rights groups to bring the state into compliance with the NVRA. Read more
Nearly 53,000 Low-Income Indianans Apply to Register to Vote
A dramatic increase in voter registration applications from public assistance agencies is the result of a successful lawsuit brought by voting rights groups to bring the state into compliance with the NVRA. Read more
Nearly 18,000 Low-Income Georgians Apply to Register to Vote
A dramatic increase in voter registration applications from public assistance agencies is the result of a successful lawsuit brought by voting rights groups to bring the state into compliance with the NVRA. Read more