Summary of Relevant Voter Registration Laws and

Their Impact on Not-for-profit Human Services Providers

New York City Local Law 29 / NYC Charter Section 1057-a

As of August 23, 2000, most City agencies * dealing with human services are required to comply with the provisions of Local Law 29 of 2000. This law requires that the agencies:

      1/ Provide and distribute voter registration forms to all persons together with written application for services, renewal or re-certification for services and change of address relating to such services, except for services that must be provided to prevent actual or potential danger to life health or safety.

      2/ Include a voter registration form with any agency communication sent through the US mail.

      3/ Incorporate an opportunity to request a voter registration application into any electronic form of application, renewal or re-certification, and change of address.

      4/ Include a mandate in all new or renewed agreements with those subcontractors having regular contact with the public in the daily administration of their business.

      5/ Prominently display voter registration promotional materials where voter registration forms are provided.

* The following offices are hereby designated as participating voter registration agencies: The administration for children's services, the city clerk, the civilian complaint review board, the commission on human rights, community boards, the department of small business services, the department of citywide administrative services, the department of consumer affairs, the department of correction, the department of employment, the department of environmental protection, the department of finance, the human resources administration, the New York City housing authority, the department of [public health] health and mental hygiene, the department of homeless services, the department of housing preservation and development, the department of parks and recreation, the department of probation, the taxi and limousine commission, the department of transportation and the department of youth and community development .

To view the law visit: http://webdocs.nyccouncil.info/textfiles/Int%200001-2004.htm?CFID=3901&CFTOKEN=21317188

If your agency has a contract with one of the City agencies covered under this law, you may be required to distribute voter registration forms.

The National Voter Registration Act of 1993

The NVRA requires states to provide:
      1/ "Motor Voter" Registration - voter registration simultaneous with motor vehicle driver's license application or renewal.

      2/ Agency-based Voter Registration - voter registration opportunities must be offered to each applicant for services, service renewal or address change through all offices that provide public assistance and all offices that provide state-funded programs primarily engaged in providing services to persons with disabilities* ; applicants must be provided with a voter registration form, a declination form, assistance in completing the forms and forwarding the completed applications to the appropriate state official) and
      3/ Mail-in Voter Registration (voter registration must be accepted by mail-in forms developed by each state and the Federal Election Commission)

*This national legislation allowed each state to define “disability.” According to New York State's definition, all private agencies that receive funds from any of the following government departments must register their clients to vote: social services, health, mental health, aging, labor, vocational and educational services for disabled, mental retardation and developmental disabilities, blind and visually handicapped, alcoholism and substance abuse.

Questions on NVRA Compliance: NYS Board of Elections: NVRA Unit, Tim Mattice, 518-474-1953

For more information on this law online: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/voting/nvra/activ_nvra.htm

Back toVoter Registration Page