Government Agency Registration

Who Should Register Americans to Vote? Their Government

When the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) was passed in 1993, it was heralded as a watershed in voting rights law. It was popularly known as the “motor voter” law, because—in addition to other important provisions—the NVRA requires voter registration services to be provided through venues where citizens regularly interact with their government: motor vehicle offices, public assistance agencies, and other government outlets.

This expansion of voter registration opportunities was expected to usher in a new era of universal, or nearly universal, enfranchisement and political participation. And indeed, in the first two years of implementation, the NVRA contributed to one of the largest expansions of the voter rolls in American history.

In the 20 years since the law went into effect, however, it has become all too common for states to neglect or ignore the requirements of the NVRA. This means that millions of Americans—particularly low-income, minority, and disabled citizens who are already underrepresented in the electorate—have been illegally denied their federally-mandated opportunity to register to vote.

Project Vote and our partners—including Demos, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and other civil rights organizations—work to rectify this problem. Through advocacy, technical assistance, and—where necessary—litigation, we are ensuring that state agencies fulfill their responsibilities and help realize the full promise of the NVRA.

 

Most Recent / Relevant Items

Advanced Filters and Sorting

346 results returned

Webinar: NVRA Section 7 Compliance Best Practices

Publication See all

A webinar presentation explaining best practices for public assistance agencies to comply with Sec. 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more

Texas Court Rules “Motor Voter” Applies to Online Transactions, Too

Post See all

A court has ruled that the "Motor Voter" law means people using DMV services online must get the same voter registration services as those going in-person. Read more

Memorandum of Understanding on NVRA Compliance – Nevada DMV

Litigation Document See all

Project Vote and partners reached an understanding with Nevada officials to streamline and modernize voter registration opportunities through the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Read more

Memorandum of Understanding on NVRA Compliance – Nevada Secretary of State

Litigation Document See all

Project Vote and partners reached an understanding with Nevada officials to streamline and modernize voter registration opportunities through the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Read more

Voting Rights Advocates Announce Agreement with State of Nevada to Modernize Voter Registration Opportunities

Press Release See all

Voting rights advocates and Nevada officials announced today that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in order to streamline and modernize voter registration opportunities through the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Read more

Civil Rights Groups Threaten to Sue New York Over Voting Rights Violations

News Item See all

Asian-American and Latino civil rights groups are among those threatening to sue New York state over allegations that its Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) failed to send voter registration applications it received to local election boards. Read more

Debunking Voter Fraud–An Interview with Michael Slater

Post See all

Brad Friedman of the Brad Blog interviews Project Vote president Michael Slater about Trump's voter fraud allegations, and how they signal a massive attack on voting rights. Read more

Debunking Trump’s Voter Fraud Lies is Not Enough; We Must Also Prepare for What Comes Next

Post See all

The Trump administration's lies about illegal voting signal a massive attack on voting rights. Read more

Letter to U.S. Senate on Jefferson Sessions

Publication See all

In an open letter to the United States Senate, Project Vote joins the Leadership Conference and 143 other civil rights organizations in opposing the confirmation of Jeff Sessions as Attorney General. Read more

New Report Explains How “Motor Voter” is Leaving Voters Who Move Behind

Post See all

When you update your address at the DMV, they should also update your voter registration. But a new report explains how—in too many states—that just isn't happening. Read more