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 Americans Denied Voter Registration Opportunities, New Report Shows
As the nation prepares for the 2008 election, a new study reveals that many states are routinely failing to offer low-income Americans an opportunity to register to vote as required by the federal National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more
Unequal Access: Neglecting the National Voter Registration Act, 1995-2007
This 2008 report—co-authored by Demos and Project Vote as part of their joint effort to improve National Voter Registration Act implementation nationwide—examines in details the national decline in voter registration at public assistance agencies, and details the potential of the NVRA to increase registration among low-income citizens. Read more
Notice Letter to Arizona on NVRA Violations
Pre-litigation notice Letter to the Arizona Secretary of State concerning compliance with Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more
Sign-up of voters lacking, group says: Federal law requires aid agencies to help their clients register
Colorado human service agencies have been violating federal law because they are failing to help register people to vote, according to a national report released Monday Read more
New Report Examines Colorado’s Compliance with Federal Voting Law
A new report by the voting rights organization Project Vote finds that Colorado has been failing to meet the requirement of a federal voting law—the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA)—that requires state agencies to offer voter registration services to citizens when they apply for public assistance. Read more
Project Vote and Demos Notify Missouri Department of Social Services of Voting Rights Violations
Today, Project Vote and Demos, representing the community group ACORN, sent a letter of intent to sue the Missouri Department of Social Services if the state doesn’t comply with a requirement of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) to provide voter registration opportunities in public assistance offices. Read more
ACORN v. Levy: Notice Letter
Pre-litigation notice letter concerning Missouri's violations of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more
WA Governor Gregoire Signs Executive Order to Better Implement National Voter Registration Act
On July 4, Washington Governor Christine Gregoire signed an executive order to better implement the federal National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), a move which should help thousands of low-income Washingtonians become registered voters. Read more
Justice Department’s Failure to Enforce National Voter Registration Act Underscored by New Report
Late last week, the federal Election Assistance Commission (EAC) published its biennial report (PDF) to Congress on the impact of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA). Read more
Project Vote & Demos notify New Mexico of Voting Rights Law Violations
New Mexico is failing to meet requirements of a federal voting rights law, according to a letter sent by Project Vote and Dēmos to Secretary of State Mary Hererra on behalf of Project Vote and the New Mexico chapter of the community organization ACORN. Read more