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.

 

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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

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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

Action NC v. Strach: Directive from Kim Strach to Count Provisional Ballots

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Directive from Kim Strach, director of the North Carolina Board of Directors, instructing that provisional ballots of certain voters who attempted to register at DMVs must be counted. Read more

Action NC et al v. Strach (North Carolina): Court Order

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Court order denying defendants' motion to dismiss, and granting in part plaintiff's motion for preliminary injunction Read more

Action NC et al v. Strach (North Carolina): Memo in Support of Preliminary Injunction

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Project Vote and partners filed for a preliminary injunction to force North Carolina to immediately comply with Secs. 5 and 7 of the NVRA. Read more

Action NC et al v. Strach (North Carolina): Memo in Support of Expedited Discovery

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A memo in support of expedited discovery in Action NC et al v. Strach. Read more

National Council of La Raza v. Miller: Settlement Agreement

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Settlement agreement in National Council of La Raza v. Miller Read more

Notice Letter to Nevada on NVRA Section 5 Violations

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Pre-litigiation notice letter to Nevada Sec. of State Barbara Cegavske, concerning the state's ongoing violations of the "motor voter" law. Read more

A. Phillip Randolph Institute et al vs. Strach (North Carolina): Complaint

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Complaint filed against the state of North Carolina for violations of the National Voter Registration Act. Read more

Notice Letter to North Carolina on NVRA Section 5 Violations

Litigation Document See all

Pre-litigation notice Letter to the North Carolina State Board of Elections concerning compliance with Section 5 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more