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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Voter Registration at Public Assistance Agencies
This policy paper examines Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act, which requires public assistance agencies to also serve as voter registration agencies. The report reviews early legal challenges to implementation of Section 7; covers the history of noncompliance; and gives examples of what states can do to fulfill the promise of the 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
Alabama reaches agreement on voter registration
Alabama could see more low-income citizens signing up to vote now that voter rights groups and state officials have reached an agreement… Read more
Appeals court examines state’s voter-registration obligations
A federal appeals court is considering whether Louisiana must help its poor citizens on public assistance register to vote when they interact with state agencies online, over the telephone or through the mail. Read more
Notice Letter to South Carolina on NVRA Section 7 Violations
Pre-litigation notice Letter to South Carolina officials concerning compliance with Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more
Civil rights groups claim N.J. violating ‘motor voter act,’ threaten to sue
Lawyers for the NAACP and a coalition of other civil rights groups claim New Jersey has been violating the National Voting Rights Act and say they will sue if changes are not made. Read more
Notice Letter to New Jersey on NVRA Violations
Project Vote and partners sent a notice letter that the state is not in compliance with the requirements of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (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
Lawsuit claimed as reason more voters registering
The number of applications filed through state agencies represents a dramatic increase of 384 percent over the previous two-year period. Read more
More Hoosiers Registered To Vote After Federal Law Enacted
More than 53,000 low-income Hoosiers have registered to vote since the federal lawsuit was settled in 2011. Read more