March 31, 2008

(Washington, D.C.) The House Committee on Administration’s Subcommittee on Elections will hold a hearing to examine state compliance with a federal law—the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA)—that requires states to provide voter registration services to public assistance clients at 2 pm on April 1 in Room 1320 of the Longworth Building. The hearing responds to recent reports by advocates that many states are failing to comply with the NVRA and that the Justice Department is failing to enforce the law.

February 26, 2008

A new bill working its way through the Mississippi State Legislature threatens the hard-won voting rights of elderly, minority, and disabled voters throughout the state. Senate Bill 2910 was proposed as an election reform cure-all, but one of its provisions would likely result in thousands of voters being purged from the voting rolls in violation of federal law.

February 11, 2008

(Washington, DC) As the nation prepares for the 2008 election, a new study reveals that many states are routinely failing to offer low-income Americans an opportunity to register to vote as required by the federal National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Unequal Access: Neglecting the National Voter Registration Act, 1995-2007, published this week by the non-partisan voting rights groups Demos and Project Vote, shows that 12 years after the NVRA’s requirements went into effect, voter registrations from public agencies that provide services to low-income Americans have declined dramatically.

February 06, 2008

Washington, D.C.--On Tuesday, February 5, record numbers of Americans participated in primaries and caucuses in 24 states. A significant number of these voters were young voters or voters of color, two groups that have had historically low voting rates. This surge in voting by two historically underrepresented populations continues a trend that started in Iowa, sustained through New Hampshire and South Carolina and was reaffirmed on “Super Tuesday.” In response, Donna Massey, Project Vote board member, had the following statement.