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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Federal court finds election law violations in Louisiana

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“It’s a great day in Louisiana for voting rights.” Read more

Judge: Agencies violated voter registration law

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A federal judge has ruled that Louisiana public assistance agencies have violated a law that requires them to provide applicants with voter registration forms regardless of whether the transaction is done in person or by mail, telephone or online. Read more

Federal Court Rules That Louisiana Systemically Violated the NVRA

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On January 23, voting rights advocates won a major legal victory on behalf of Louisiana’s public assistance agency clients, the state’s most vulnerable and most marginalized residents. Read more

Scott v. Schedler: Ruling

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District court's Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law in Scott v. Schedler. Read more

National Council of La Raza v Miller: District Court Order

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District court order dismissing National Council of La Raza v. Miller due to lack of standing. Read more

Governor Brown Signs Padilla Bill to Expand Voter Registration

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The new law will facilitate voter registration and further California's compliance with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), commonly known as Motor Voter. Read more

Pennsylvania welfare offices begin reporting voter registration

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The state has made its first monthly report of voter registrations at welfare offices after settling a lawsuit over its obligation to help clients join the electoral rolls. Read more

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania settles National Voter Registration Act case

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On Wednesday, the Black Political Empowerment Project (B-PEP) and ACTION United entered a Court approved Settlement Agreement with Pennsylvania officials, resolving claims relative to the Commonwealth’s compliance with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more

Black Political Empowerment Project v. Aichele: Settlement

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Settlement agreement in which Pennsylvania agreed to comply with the NVRA and distribute voter registration applications in in-person and remote transactions. / Read more

Pennsylvania Facing Backlash for Voting Policies

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Project Vote is reporting that two groups have filed a lawsuit claiming that Pennsylvania has not complied with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. Read more