Government Agency Registration

Congress passed the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) in 1993 to increase the number of citizens registered to vote in Federal elections.

One of the most important ways the NVRA was designed to increase registration was by ensuring that citizens are offered the opportunity to register to vote at places where they interact with the government: at motor vehicle offices and public assistance offices (such as those that provide Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Medicaid).

However, since the implementation of the NVRA in 1995–1996, many states have been neglecting the voter registration provisions of the law. Project Vote works to enforce the NVRA’s requirements, and ensure that all citizens are provided with the voter registration assistance they are guaranteed under the law.

The Government Agency Registration Program assists states, social service agencies, motor vehicle offices, and election officials with implementation of the NVRA’s requirements. In addition to technical assistance, the Program conducts research, documents noncompliance and, when necessary, initiates litigation to enforce the NVRA.

Additionally, the Government Agency Registration Program works to expand voter registration opportunities at other places where eligible citizens interact with their government, such as immigration offices and health benefits providers.

Voter registration drives will always have an essential role to play in our democracy, but the responsibility to register eligible Americans to vote must rest first and foremost on the government.

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Action NC et al v. Strach (North Carolina)

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In December 2015, Project Vote and partners sued the state of North Carolina for widespread violations of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more

Black Political Empowerment Project v. Aichele (Pennsylvania)

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In July 2012, Project Vote and its partners filed a Complaint against officials in Pennsylvania alleging that that the state had systematically failed to comply with Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more

National Council of La Raza v. Miller (Nevada)

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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

NAACP v. Galvin (Massachusetts)

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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

Georgia NAACP v. Kemp (2011)

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In June 2011 Project Vote and partners filed a lawsuit against officials in Georgia over violations of Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more

Scott v. Schedler (Louisiana)

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In April 2011 Project Vote and partners filed a lawsuit against officials in Louisiana for widespread violations of Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more

Indiana State Conference of NAACP v. Gargano (Indiana)

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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

Valdez v. Duran (New Mexico)

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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

ACORN v. Levy (Missouri)

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ACORN v. Levy (formerly ACORN v. Scott) is a lawsuit filed in Kansas City, Missouri charging Deborah Scott, director of... Read more

Harkless v. Brunner (Ohio)

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In September 2006 Project Vote and partners filed a lawsuit against officials in the state of Ohio alleging widespread violations of Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more