In response to Bloomberg report, “Swing-State Aid Agencies Denying Voter Signups Draw Suits” by Kathy Warbelow and Sophia Pearson, we note that the article misses the point of the National Voter Registration Act.
The article spotlights work on “swing-states” but neglects to mention the work in states like Louisiana, where we are in current litigation, or Georgia, where we won a positive ruling earlier this year. I think the exclusion is misleading. Project Vote is a non-partisan 501c3 with a mission to expand the American electorate so that it is more representational.
Simply put, the states are not doing their job and we are advocating that they implement the law so more Americans get registered.
We and our partners determine where to pursue work on the public agency registration program by examining where states are falling down on their job of offering voter registration to citizens. Many people are aware of the “Motor Voter” aspect of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) because that is where they received voter registration assistance. Food stamp and TANF offices must also offer voter registration, which is a great, because this is a place where citizens interact with the state.
The article implies that this program or “campaign” to ensure that states are following the law has a partisan motive. It does not.
Our democracy works best when every American participates. Our work is to make sure that Americans get every opportunity to register and vote. That is also the vision of the NVRA.