The state of Louisiana is being challenged by the Justice Department for violating a federal election law that requires state agencies to provide voter registration to low-income citizens.
In a complaint filed today in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana, the Justice Department claims that “Louisiana officials have not routinely offered voter registration forms, assistance and services to the state’s eligible citizens who apply, recertify or provide a change address for public assistance or disability services, or benefits,” as required under the National Voter Registration Act.
“The voting process begins with registration. Therefore, it is essential that all citizens have unfettered access to voter registration opportunities,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The department is committed to enforcing the National Voter Registration Act so that neither income nor disability status stands in the way of equal voter registration opportunities for all citizens.”
In January, Project Vote filed suit in the Eastern District of Louisiana making similar allegations.
“We applaud the Justice Department for stepping up to the plate and doing the right thing,” said Nicole Kovite Zeitler, director of the Public Agency Voter Registration Program at Project Vote.
Read more on the Justice Department lawsuit here.