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• National Voter Registration Act (NVRA)

National Voter Registration Act (NVRA)

Webpage last updated: June 25, 2024

Congress enacted the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) in 1993. NVRA standardized and simplified voter registration procedures for elections for federal office.  See sections 52 U.S.C. §§ 20501–20511. The Florida Legislature enacted the Florida Voter Registration Act in 1994 to further implement the federal law. See chapter 94-224, Laws of Florida

NVRA provides for a national mail-in voter registration application. To register, Florida accepts the national mail-in registration form, the statewide voter registration application form (DS-DE 39) and the federal post  card application (DOD Standard Form 76).  See section 97.052(6), F.S. 

NVRA also requires states to afford people the opportunity to submit an application to register to vote or to update their voter registration information at the same time as they:

• Apply for a driver license or state identification card at any office that issues these licenses or cards, or
• Apply or receive services or assistance at any office designated by federal or state law as a voter registration agency. 

“Motor Voter” Law

Federal and state laws afford voter registration opportunities at State motor vehicle agencies.  See 52 U.S.C. § 20504; section 97.057, F.S. Each State motor vehicle driver’s license application (including any renewal application) must serve as a simultaneous voter registration application unless the person opts out of the voter registration process. This application whether paper or electronic is forwarded to the Supervisor of Elections for processing as a new application to register or an update to an existing voter record, whichever is applicable.  In Florida, tax collector’s offices serve as designated motor vehicle offices that issue driver licenses or state identification cards.

Voter Registration Agencies

Federal and state laws have designated certain government agencies to serve as voter registration agencies (VRAs). See 52 U.S.C. § 20506; sections 97.021(44) and 97.058, F.S.  This means any applicant/client/patron who presents at these agencies are offered the opportunity to submit a registration to vote at the same time as they receive the agency's core services.  

Designated VRAs

Offices that serve as voter registration agencies in Florida include:

• All offices that provide public assistance
  • Department of Health’s Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children
  • Department of Children and Families programs
    • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
    • Medicaid/Kidcare Medicaid Program
    • Temporary Cash Assistance Program
• All offices that provide state funded programs for persons with disabilities
• Agency for Persons with Disabilities
• Department of Veteran’s Affairs
• Department of Education
  • Division of Blind Services
  • Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
• Department of Financial Services
  • Division of Workers’ Compensation
• Disability offices at public colleges and universities
• Armed Forces Recruitment Offices
  • Army
  • Navy
  • Marines
  • Coast Guard
  • National Guard
• Centers for Independent Living
• Public Libraries
  • County libraries
  • Municipal libraries

Rule and Forms

VRAs are also governed by requirements set forth in Rule 1S -2.048 of the Florida Administrative Code. The rule requires VRA training, designation of a coordinator, established voter registration processes with specified form and notices to the applicant/client/patron, and reporting requirements.  Incorporated forms include DS-DE 77 and DS-DE 131. Note: Rule revision for Rule 1S-2.048 and incorporated form, DS-DE 77 (VRA form Including Notices) is in progress.

Reporting Schedule for Voter Registration Activities at VRAs

VRAs are required to report quarterly their voter registration activities conducted within the respective agency using Form DS-DE 131.  The reporting schedule is:

NVRA Complaint Form

Any person aggrieved by a violation of either the National Voter Registration Act or a voter registration or removal procedure under the Florida Election Code may file a written complaint with the Department of State.  See 52 U.S.C. § 2010; section 97.023, F.S. To file an NVRA complaint, a person must use Form (DS-DE 18).

Resources

• NVRA Training
  • Voter Registration Training Overview - Offices Issuing Driver Licenses - PDF (06/2024)(errata)
  • Training Workshop for Voter Registration Agencies - PDF (2020) (update in progress)
  • Libraries and Voting Sites and Voter Registration Agencies - PDF (2020) (update in progress)
• Voter Registration Statistics
  
  •  Aggregated statistical data regarding voter registration activity in Florida including at tax collector’s offices and voter registration agencies is available HERE.