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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Valdez v. Duran (New Mexico)
In July 2009, Project Vote and its partners filed suit against officials in New Mexico for violations of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) Read more
Voting Rights Groups Sue Indiana for Neglecting Low-Income Voters
Citing clear evidence that Indiana public assistance agencies have violated their federally mandated responsibility to offer tens of thousands of clients the opportunity to register to vote each year, a coalition of voting rights groups filed suit today against officials in Indiana for violations of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA). Read more
The National Voter Registration Act: Case Summaries
This analysis of litigation under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 covers key issues including: (1) the constitutionality of the NVRA; (2) public agency registration under Section 7; (3) voter list maintenance under Section 8; (4) designation of certain offices as mandatory agencies under Section 7; (5) voter registration process; and (6) restrictions on third-party registration. Read more
A Review of Academic Literature on the Effectiveness of the National Voter Registration Act
A 2009 review of academic literature on the effectiveness of the National Voter Registration Act. Read more
Registering Low-Income Voters though Public Assistance Agencies in Missouri: A Success Story of the Public Agency Voter Registration Project
This case study documents how this success was achieved, and provides a timely and powerful reminder of how proper implementation of public agency voter registration can dramatically increase the number of low-income Americans who are registered to vote. Read more
Missouri Department of Social Services Agrees to Settlement Ensuring Voter Registration Opportunities for Low-Income Voters
Low-income voters in Missouri will see increased access to voter registration at Missouri public assistance offices as a result of a settlement agreement filed today in federal district court. Read more
ACORN v. Levy: Settlement Agreement
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
Groups press FSSA to let clients register to vote
When low-income Hoosiers turn to state social-services offices for help, they're supposed to get something more than financial assistance. They're also supposed to be able to register to vote. Read more
Indiana State Conference of NAACP v. Gargano: Notice Letter
Pre-litigation notice letter concerning Indiana's violations of Sec. 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more
Indiana Neglecting Low-Income Voters in Violation of Federal Law
Project Vote and the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) sent a pre-litigation notice letter to Secretary of State Todd Rokita calling on him to bring Indiana into compliance with a federal law, the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), that requires public assistance agencies offer voter registration services to their clients. Read more