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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Low-Income Ohio Voters Registering In Droves: Registration Now Permitted At Public Assistance Offices
Voter right advocates said more than 100,000 low-income Ohio residents have applied to register to vote at public-assistance offices in the months after a federal court settlement on the issue. Read more
NM settles lawsuit over voter registration law
New Mexico has settled a lawsuit filed by advocacy groups last year over compliance with a law that lets people register to vote at various state agencies, including the Motor Vehicle Division when they get a driver's license. Read more
Policy Brief: Voter Registration Modernization and the NVRA
This policy brief documents various problems with voter registration and outlines pragmatic solutions states can adopt to make registering to vote simple, efficient and transparent. Read more
Voter Registration Services at Public Assistance Agencies: Complying with Federal
This paper provides information to legislators, government officials, journalists, and interested citizens about voter registration services at state public assistance agencies and offices that serve persons with disabilities, which are required by the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. Read more
Federal Court Lawsuit Settlement Brings Ohio Into Compliance with National Voter Registration Act
Low-income Ohio citizens will be ensured access to voter registration at Ohio public assistance offices as a result of a settlement agreement submitted to Federal District Court Judge Patricia A. Gaughan over this past holiday weekend. Read more
Harkless v. Brunner: Signed Settlement Agreement
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 (Indiana)
In October 2009 Project Vote and its partners filed suit against officials in Indiana for violations of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA). Read more
Indiana State Conference of NAACP v. Gargano: Settlement Agreement
Settlement agreement in which Indiana public assistance agencies agree to comply with voter registration requirements of the National Voter Registration Act. Read more
New Case Study Documents Successful Turnaround of Missouri’s Public Agency Registration Program
Today, Project Vote is releasing a new report, Registering Low-Income Voters through Public Assistance Agencies in Missouri, which shows just how well public agency voter registration can work. Read more
Project Vote Releases New Report Evaluating Fifteen Years of the NVRA
Today Project Vote is proud to release The NVRA at Fifteen: A Report to Congress, the first comprehensive report evaluating the implementation of this landmark law. Read more