Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act
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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Voting Rights Fight in Georgia Grows More Intense
The fight for voting rights in Georgia isn’t new; we have been working there for years. Read more
Report from US Commission on Civil Rights Highlights Crucial NVRA Section 7 Compliance Requirements
A new report from the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights provides important proposals and guidelines for ensuring that all Americans have an opportunity to register and vote. Read more
Court Must Intervene to Protect N.C. Voters, Project Vote Argues
At a court hearing this week, Project Vote attorneys argued North Carolina voters need immediate relief in advance of the November election. Read more
Louisiana Federal Court Upholds the Spirit and Letter of the NVRA
In an exhaustive opinion handed down in Louisiana, a federal district court basically held that mere lip service to the public assistance provisions of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) is not an option. Read more
Bridging the Latino Voter Registration Gap Is More Crucial Than Ever
Twenty-three million Latinos are currently eligible to vote in the United States, but less than 14 million are registered, according to a new report by the NALEO Educational Fund yesterday. Read more
One Fight Down, Another One Looms in Nevada
Nevada’s state of voter registration is currently a good news, bad news situation. Read more
The Ugly Climate in North Carolina
Continuing a pattern of discriminatory laws, North Carolina just passed a bill legalizing discrimination against LGBTQ+ people. Read more
Advocates to Court: Protect Rights of N.C. Voters This November
North Carolina needs to follow the law before the state blocks more people from voting in November. Read more
Obama’s Last State of the Union: What We Won’t Hear
Until Health Care Exchanges are brought into compliance with the NVRA, the president's legacy is incomplete. Read more
Civic Groups Sue North Carolina Over Voting Rights Violations
North Carolina citizens did everything right to get registered to vote. But the state is failing them. Read more