THE NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT OF 1993

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THE NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT OF 1993

• MOTOR/VOTER

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History of the NVRA AccomplishmentsObligations
of Voter Registration AgenciesPoints to
RememberThings to Look ForQuestions/Conclusions

• MOTOR/VOTER
• Introduction/Overview

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THE NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT OF 1993
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NVRA - PURPOSES
42 USC 1973gg

• Increase the number of eligible citizens who
  register to vote
• Enhance the participation of eligible citizens as
  voters in elections
• Protect the integrity of the electoral process
• Ensure accurate and current voter registration
  rolls are maintained

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NVRA - WHAT IS REQUIRED 42 USC 1973gg-6

• Ensure that any eligible applicant is registered
  to vote
• Inform all applicants of the voter eligibility
  requirements and penalties for submission of a
  false voter registration application
• Require the State election official to send
  notice to each applicant of the disposition of
  the application

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NVRA - WHAT IS REQUIRED 42 USC 1973gg-6

• Ensure the identity of the voter registration
  agency through which the applicant registered is
  not disclosed
• Conduct a program to remove ineligible names from
  the official list
• Ensure names are removed only
• at the registrants request
• as provided by State law
• through the program above

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NVRA - ELEMENTS

• DMV REGISTRATION
• Mail registration
• Agency registration
• List maintenance
• Administration

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GENERAL AGENCY REGISTRATION

• Public assistance agencies
• Agencies for people with disabilities
• Other designated agencies

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GENERAL AGENCY REGISTRATION

• Dept. of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and
  Substance Abuse
• Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy
• Virginia Centers for Independent Living
• Armed Forces Recruitment Offices

• Dept. of Health
• Dept. of Social Services
• Dept. of Rehab. Services
• Dept. for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Dept. for the Blind and Vision Impaired

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GENERAL AGENCY REGISTRATION

• The Commonwealth has designated two
• additional agencies
• Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries
• Virginia Employment Commission (but only the
  Northern Virginia Planning Commission 8)

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WHO MAY REGISTER TO VOTE?

• Citizen of the United States
• Live in Virginia
• At least 18 years old by date of general election
• May not claim right to vote elsewhere
• Must not be in prison or on parole for the
  conviction of a felony, judged to be
  incapacitated.

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RESTORATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS

• To petition the Governor of Virginia for
  restoration, the individual must
• complete all prison/jail terms
• be free of any suspended sentence, probation or
  parole for at least 5 years
• not be currently facing criminal charges in any
  jurisdiction and
• pay all court ordered costs, fines, and/or
  restitution.

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RESTORATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS

• For more information, please contact
• Secretary of the Commonwealth
• Attention Assistant for Clemency
• PO Box 1-D
• Richmond, VA 23201
• [phone]

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REQUIREMENTS ON FORM in Virginia
Code of Virginia 24.2-418

• Signature, unless disabled
• Full name
• Gender
• Date of birth
• US citizenship
• Social security number

• Previous address of voter registration
• Residence address
• Mentally incapacitated
• rights must be restored
• Convicted felon
• rights must be restored

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POST OFFICE BOXES in Virginia Code
of Virginia 24.2-418

• The form shall permit law enforcement officers
  and any party granted a protective order to
  furnish a post office box in addition to a street
  address.
• Note As of July 1, 2004 a person who signs a
  statement that he/she is in fear for his/her
  personal safety from another party who has
  threatened or stalked him/her to provide a post
  office box address, either for his residence or
  another location in the Commonwealth.

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REGISTRATION DEADLINE
42 USC 1973gg-5

• Eligible applications submitted to both the
  Department of Motor Vehicles and required
  agencies the lesser of 30 days or the period
  provided by State law prior to the election
• Eligible applications postmarked the lesser of 30
  days or the period provided by State law prior to
  the election

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REGISTRATION DEADLINE in Virginia
Code of Virginia 24.2-414

• 29 days
• before an election

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REGISTRATION DEADLINE in Virginia
Code of Virginia 24.2-416.4

• Mail voter registration applications with no
  postmark or an illegible postmark shall be deemed
  timely if received through the United States mail
  no later than 5 days following the close of the
  registration books.

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REGISTRATION

• Once registered, the individual will be sent a
  voter card from their local general registrar.
  This can take up to three weeks. If an individual
  does not receive a voter card in three weeks,
  they should contact their local registrar or call
  1-800-552-9745.

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MAIL REGISTRATION

• The State Board of Elections will supply state or
  national voter registration forms in large
  quantities. Please provide our number
  800-552-9745 to anyone requesting quantities your
  office is unable to supply.

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AGENCY REGISTRATION
42 USC 1973gg-5

• Public assistance agencies
• Agencies for people with disabilities
• Other designated agencies
• Each agency shall provide
• mail forms
• assistance if needed
• acceptance of forms

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WHAT THIS MEANS

• Other Things To Be Considered

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WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU

• YOU HAVE ONE MORE HAT TO WEAR.

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QUESTIONS?