Partnering with Motor Vehicle Offices and Public Assistance Agencies
FEBRUARY 3, 2010
Partnering with Motor Vehicle Offices and Public Assistance Agencies
Modernizing the process of voter registration requires coordination between election officials, motor vehicle offices, and public assistance agencies. Three states have already begun implementing their own modernization process, as highlighted by a Project Vote memo. Meanwhile, a survey conducted by Dēmoswith public assistance agencies in 40 states plus the District of Columbia probed the feasibility of using these agencies’ databases as the source for low-income citizens’ voter registration information. The results from these two studies demonstrate that upgrading the methods by which states collect and maintain voter registration rolls is not only less costly for the state but also easier than some might expect.
Featured Resources
This report explores a range of dimensions of turnout in the 2008 election, including the relationship between early voting and election day registration and individuals going to the polls.
This report reviews the election process across all fifty states, using the Carter-Baker Commission’s recommendations as guidelines.
The Indiana Election Division published its Outreach Library for the 2010 elections. Among the resources available for both voters and election officials are guides for military and overseas voters, voter identification requirement outlines, and a handbook for election officials.
The EAC's annual report on 2008 spending provides detailed information regarding states’ usage of HAVA funds, as well as data on competitive grants distributed by the EAC. Of the $2.96 billion they received from the EAC, states have spent 76% and are expected to use remaining funds in 2010.
Research Projects
Election Law @ Moritz, run through Moritz College of Law at the Ohio State University, contains both explanation and commentary on a wealth of election reform issues from a legal perspective.
The Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law is a non-partisan public policy and law institute that focuses on fundamental issues of democracy and justice.
Dēmos is a non-partisan public policy research and advocacy organization founded in 2000. A multi-issue national organization, Dēmoscombines research, policy development, and advocacy to influence public debates and catalyze change.
FairVote develops and promotes practical strategies to improve elections at the local, state and national levels.
electionline.org provides daily news updates on election reform issues, as well as deeper analysis of selected topics, including recent reports on voter registration, recount procedures, and the progress in implementing the Help America Vote Act since 2002.
The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research
www.aei.org
The Brookings Institution
www.brookings.edu
© Copyright 2010, AEI
and The Brookings Institution