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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Indiana Neglecting Low-Income Voters in Violation of Federal Law
Project Vote and the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) sent a pre-litigation notice letter to Secretary of State Todd Rokita calling on him to bring Indiana into compliance with a federal law, the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), that requires public assistance agencies offer voter registration services to their clients. Read more
Project Vote Applauds Justice Department Enforcement of NVRA in Illinois
Following an investigation that found evidence of widespread violations, the Department of Justice (DOJ) today announced an agreement to bring the State of Illinois into compliance with provisions of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Read more
Federal Court: Ohio State Officials Responsible for Implementing National Voter Registration Laws
According to a unanimous federal appeals court decision, the state of Ohio may no longer shirk its responsibility to ensure that low-income citizens are offered the opportunity to register to vote, as required by federal law. Read more
Federal Court Orders Mo. Dept. of Social Services to Comply with Federal Voter Registration Law
United States District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey issued an order yesterday, July 15, 2008, directing the Missouri Department of Social Services immediately to comply with a federal law requiring agencies to provide voter registration applications and assistance to their clients. Read more
Project Vote Statement on NVRA Agreement Between the DOJ and the State of Arizona
A pivotal agreement was reached yesterday between the Arizona’s Department of Economic Security (DES) and the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) to implement federal law that requires the state to provide voter registration services at public assistance agencies. Read more
Lawsuit Filed to Compel Missouri Public Assistance Agencies to Offer Voter Registration Services
The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) and St. Louis resident Dionne O’Neal have filed a federal lawsuit today charging that the state of Missouri has failed to provide voter registration services to clients of state public assistance agencies, as required by the federal National Voter Registration Act ("NVRA"). Read more
Congress Examines States’ Failure to Follow National Voter Registration Act
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)… Read more
Low-Income Americans Denied Voter Registration Opportunities, New Report Shows
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). Read more
New Report Examines Colorado’s Compliance with Federal Voting Law
A new report by the voting rights organization Project Vote finds that Colorado has been failing to meet the requirement of a federal voting law—the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA)—that requires state agencies to offer voter registration services to citizens when they apply for public assistance. Read more
Project Vote and Demos Notify Missouri Department of Social Services of Voting Rights Violations
Today, Project Vote and Demos, representing the community group ACORN, sent a letter of intent to sue the Missouri Department of Social Services if the state doesn’t comply with a requirement of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) to provide voter registration opportunities in public assistance offices. Read more