Public Assistance Agencies

Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act

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The plaintiffs and attorneys in Project Vote and the NAACP’s public assistance agency lawsuit in Louisiana.

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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National Council of La Raza v. Miller: Complaint

Litigation Document See all

Complaint filed against Secretary of State Ross Miller and Director of the Department of Health & Human Services, Michael Willden, alleging that the state has systematically failed to comply with Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more

NAACP v Galvin: Complaint

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Lawsuit filed on behalf of NAACP-NEAC and New England United for Justice, and an individual plaintiff, charging that Massachusetts public agencies are failing to comply with the NVRA. Read more

National Council of La Raza v Miller: Notice Letter

Litigation Document See all

Pre-litigation notice letter informing Secretary of State Ross Miller that Nevada public assistance agencies were not in compliance with Section 7 of the NVRA. Read more

Black Political Empowerment Project v. Aichele: Notice Letter

Litigation Document See all

Pre-litigation notice letter concerning Pennsylvania's violations of Sec. 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more

Georgia NAACP v. Kemp: Settlement Agreement

Litigation Document See all

Settlement agreement in which Georgia public assistance agencies agree to comply with voter registration requirements of the National Voter Registration Act. Read more

Valdez v. Duran: Tenth Circuit Court Opinion

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Court of Appeals Opinion affirming district court decisions in Valdez v. Duran Read more

Georgia NAACP v. Kemp – Order Denying Motion to Dismiss

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Order Denying Motion to Dismiss Read more

NAACP v. Galvin: Notice Letter

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Pre-litigation notice letter concerning Massachusett's violations of Sec. 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more

Scott v. Schedler: Order Denying Motion to Dismiss

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Order Denying Motion to Dismiss Read more

Valdez v. Duran: Settlement Agreement

Litigation Document See all

Settlement agreement pertaining to Section 5 (motor vehicle offices) claims in Valdez v. Duran Read more