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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Groups Claim Arkansas Not Complying With Voter Registration Law
Public assistance agencies in Arkansas are failing to provide voter-registration services as required under the National Voter Registration Act. Read more
Arkansas Neglecting Low-Income Voters, in Violation of Federal Law
Today voting rights groups sent an official notice letter to Secretary of State Mark Martin, informing him that Arkansas public assistance agencies are failing to comply with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more
Notice Letter to Oklahoma on NVRA Section 7 Violations
Pre-litigation notice Letter to the Oklahoma State Board of Elections concerning compliance with Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more
Notice Letter to Arizona on NVRA Section 7 Violations
Pre-litigation notice Letter to the Arizona Secretary of State concerning compliance with Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more
Voting groups: Arizona is failing low-income residents
Local and national voting-rights groups say Arizona is failing to provide voter registration information to low-income residents. Read more
Arizona Once Again Failing to Offer Required Voter Registration
Secretary of State Bennett and State Agencies on notice for violations of federal law. Read more
Video: Public Assistance Lawsuit in Georgia
A video highlighting the successful lawsuit Project Vote and our partners brought to enforce the NVRA public assistance requirements in Georgia. Read more
New Video Highlights Georgia NVRA Section 7 Case
In 2011, Project Vote and our partners—including the ACLU, the Coalition for the Peoples’ Agenda, Demos, the Lawyers’ Committee for... Read more
California Agrees to Comply with Voter Registration Law Under Settlement
In a victory for voting rights, California has agreed to mail voter registration cards to nearly 4 million Californians who signed up for health insurance through the state health exchange, and to ensure that the exchange provides voter registration opportunities going forward. Read more
Voting Rights Groups Applaud District Court’s Decision In Public Assistance Voter Registration Case
On Friday, the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a series of rulings in Delgado v. Galvin… Read more