Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act
Though most people know the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) as the “motor voter” law, fewer people know that it also mandates that voter registration be offered at other government agencies besides DMVs. State agencies offering SNAP (food stamps), TANF, Medicaid, and other government benefits are also legally required to assist their clients in registering to vote under the NVRA.
Congress included this provision, Section 7, exactly to reach the citizens who are less likely to register through other means: low-income people, minorities, the elderly, and the disabled.
However, too many states have been ignoring this part of the NVRA, meaning that millions of our most vulnerable citizens are missing out on the change to make their voices heard. That’s why Project Vote and our partners are working to fix that. We investigate compliance. We document violations of the NVRA. And, where we find problems, we work—through advocacy, assistance, and litigation—to ensure that states are following the law and doing right by their citizens.
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Voting Rights Groups Move to Hold Alabama Accountable to Federal Voter Registration Law
Today attorneys from Demos, Project Vote, and the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law sent a pre-litigation notice letter to the Alabama Secretary of State on behalf of the Alabama State Conference of the NAACP. Read more
Voting rights groups say Alabama agencies not obeying federal voter registration laws
A coalition of voting rights and civil rights groups is alleging that Alabama is not meeting the law in providing voter registration materials to residents who seek government assistance. Read more
National Voting Rights Organizations Begin Litigation to Enforce National Voter Registration Act in Nevada
On Monday, a coalition of national voting rights groups filed a Complaint against Secretary of State Ross Miller and Director of the department of Health & Human Services, Michael Willden in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada. Read more
Voting rights groups sue Nevada over registration
Voting advocacy groups are suing Nevada, alleging the state is violating the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 by refusing to help low-income residents register to vote. Read more
Notice Letter to Florida on NVRA Violations
Pre-litigation notice Letter to the Florida's Secretary of State concerning compliance with Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more
Notice Letter to Arkansas on NVRA Violations
Pre-litigation notice Letter to the Arkansas Secretary of State concerning compliance with Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more
National Council of La Raza v. Miller (Nevada)
In June 2012, Project Vote and its partners filed a Complaint against Nevada's Secretary of State and the state's Department of Health & Human Services, alleging that the state has systematically failed to comply with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more
National Council of La Raza v. Miller: Complaint
Complaint filed against Secretary of State Ross Miller and Director of the Department of Health & Human Services, Michael Willden, alleging that the state has systematically failed to comply with Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more
NAACP v. Galvin (Massachusetts)
In May 2012, Project Vote and its partners filed a lawsuit charging the Secretary of the Commonwealth and the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) with violating their federally mandated responsibilities to offer all public assistance clients the opportunity to register to vote. Read more
Massachusetts Citizen and Community Groups Sue Commonwealth for Failing to Provide Voter Registration Opportunities
A lawsuit was filed today against the State of Massachusetts for violating the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA). Read more