FACT WIKI · Law
National Voter Registration Act
National Voter Registration Act
The National Voter Registration Act of 1993, commonly called the NVRA or the “motor voter law,” sets requirements for voter registration in elections for federal office.
Roles and functions
Section 8 governs state administration of voter registration and requires procedures to maintain accurate and current voter-registration lists.
The Justice Department enforces the NVRA by monitoring state compliance, conducting investigations and bringing litigation in federal court. Private parties may also bring federal enforcement lawsuits. The Election Assistance Commission administers the national voter-registration form and state reporting under the law.
Sections 5, 6 and 7 require states to offer voter-registration opportunities through motor vehicle agencies, mail-in applications and certain state and local offices, including public assistance and disability offices.
How it works
Every two years, states must respond to the Election Assistance Commission's survey with voter-registration and list-maintenance information. Registration reporting includes application numbers from mail, motor vehicle offices, public assistance offices, offices providing state-funded programs primarily serving people with disabilities, Armed Forces recruitment offices and other state-designated agencies.
A change-of-address form submitted for state driver's-license purposes must also notify election authorities of a voter-registration address change unless the registrant opts out on the form.
Scope and limitations
For Section 5, the term “motor vehicle driver's license” includes any personal identification document issued by a state motor vehicle authority. The voter-registration opportunity therefore extends to applications, renewals and address changes involving those documents.
References
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