Hi! I’m Karen Carter Peterson, DNC Vice Chair of Civic Engagement & Voter Participation — I’ll be taking over @TheDemocrats. Yesterday we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), & today we’re talking about how it benefits voters. -@TeamKCP
NVRA was passed by Congress in 1993 after finding that “discriminatory and unfair registration laws” in many states reduced voting by minority and low-income citizens. -@TeamKCP
The NVRA was designed to streamline the process of voter registration and create national standards for mail-in voter registration and voter list maintenance. It was a huge victory and a key step in closing the voter registration gap -@TeamKCP
It also created a requirement for public agencies, such as the DMV, to offer voter registration. Because of this, it became known as the “Motor Voter Law”. -@TeamKCP
Although the NVRA is a federal election law that comes before any conflicting state law, many states are not in full compliance with the law. -@TeamKCP
Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) is a huge step towards fully implementing the NVRA because it automatically registers voters when they use public agencies. 13 states and DC have already adopted this law. -@TeamKCP
It does this in two ways: 1. Any time an eligible individual interacts with a participating government agency, they’re registered to vote unless they opt out. 2. That person’s voter registration information is electronically transferred to election officials. -@TeamKCP
States can save money and keep their records up-to-date by using AVR. It promotes voter registration and reduces the potential for voter fraud. Electronically transferring voters’ information is secure and cuts out paper and extra administrative costs. -@TeamKCP
That’s it for me, today! Before I sign off, I want to remind you all to go to IWillVote.com & check your voter registration. Let’s celebrate the National Voter Registration Act by making sure we register to vote and march to polls on Election Day. #IWillVote -@TeamKCP
