DOJ Issues NVRA Guidance; A Significant Step in Promoting Compliance
In an effort to promote effective and full compliance with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), the U.S. Department of Justice has issued guidance to the states regarding the voter registrtion procedures they must follow so as to properly implement this important civil rights statute.
The NVRA was enacted in 1993 to enable a larger number of citizens to register to vote, and thus promote greater participation in elections. In particular, Congress sought to remedy the use of discriminatory and unfair registration laws and procedures by the states. However, in recent years, many states have fallen down in their implementation of this statute, especially with regard to offering voter registrtion at public asssitance agencies, as required by the NVRA.
To remedy states’ violations of the NVRA, the Lawyers’ Committee, along with its coalition partners, has made NVRA compliance one of its top priorities. In 2009, the Lawyers’ Committee settled lawsuits against the states of Missouri and Ohio regarding voter registration at state public assistance offices, and filed suit against two other states, Indiana and New Mexico. However, given the national scope of the noncompliance problems, it is imperative that the Justice Department be at the forefront in advising states of the required procedures, as well as filing suit, when necessary, if states refuse to comply. The guidance issued by the Justice Department is a significant step in that direction.
