Presentation Transcript

1. NVRA Program Results As a result of your efforts, almost 28,000 voters have either registered to vote or updated their voter registration record at public assistance agencies in North Carolina this year. 42,672 applications were submitted in 2008. 33,705 applications were submitted in 2009.
2. National Recognition North Carolina became a national leader in NVRA implementation even without the need for litigation. After being presented in summer 2006 with statistical data and evidence from field investigations indicating non-compliance, the North Carolina State Board of Elections . . . acted quickly to develop and roll out an effective re-implementation plan. . . Voting in 2010: Ten Swing States, a report by Demos and Common Cause (August 2010)
3. National Recognition As a result, the number of registrations from North Carolina’s public assistance offices has increased over six-fold and has remained consistently high for the three years since re-implementation. Since enhanced data reporting began in February 2007, over 104,500 voter registration applications have been submitted from North Carolina public assistance offices, an average of 2,986 applications per month. This is compared to an average of only 484 registrations per month in the two years preceding the renewed implementation effort. Voting in 2010: Ten Swing States, a report by Demos and Common Cause (August 2010)
4. Voter Registration Activity at Public Assistance Agencies (2006 – 2010)
5. Registration Trends
6. Federal PL 103-31, National Voter Registration Act of 1993, 42 USC § 1973gg-5 State Agency Voter Registration, GS 163-82.20 (effective January 1, 1995)
7. National Voter Registration Act This act provided that all North Carolinians who apply for or receive services or benefits under certain programs or agencies must be offered the opportunity to register to vote or to update voter registration records. Among others, the act designated: Public assistance agencies, Disability services agencies, and DMV. When the North Carolina General Assembly enacted state legislation to coincide with NVRA, it added the Employment Security Commission.
8. Affected DSS Units
9. NVRA Agency Mandate
10. Agency Site Coordinator It is very important that each site designate a site coordinator. The responsibilities are ESSENTIAL to daily voter registration activities. Let the State Board and County Board of Elections
11. Site Coordinator’s Role: Maintain Maintain adequate supplies, including: Properly coded Agency Voter Registration forms, Preference forms, Agency Transmittal sheet Training materials
12. Site Coordinator’s Responsibilities Monitor the day to day administration of the program. Ensure the timely and accurate transmittal of all voter registration materials (including preference forms) within 5 business days of completion. Communicate with local and state election officials to ensure that materials are current.
13. Site Coordinator’s Responsibilities Train new and reassigned employees in the voter registration process. Resolve site questions and problems relating to the voter registration service.
14. Necessary Forms for Successful NVRA Compliance Preference Forms Voter Registration Forms Agency Transmittal Forms PreferenceForm
15. Preference Forms All clients must fill one out upon new service, renewal of service, and change of address. Only one preference form is required per visit -- if on the same visit the client completes several applications for service, only one preference form is required. The preference form is required by both Federal (42 USC 1973gg-5) and State (GS 163-82.20) law.
16. Phone Contact Procedures Agencies must offer VR services during phone contacts Include VR form in mailed agency application packets. Mail the client a VR form if the client is giving the agency new information as to their address or name. The agency should sign a preference form and indicate that a voter registration form was mailed to the applicant.
17. Handling Preference Forms Transmit voter registration forms to the proper county board of elections within 5 days of receipt. Use transmittal form. If there are no accompanying VR forms, transmit preference forms preferably weekly and no longer than monthly to the county elections office. Use a transmittal form when sending any VR materials to the county elections office.
18. Preference Forms Exception In lieu of transmitting preference forms to the county board of elections, agencies may keep the forms under the following conditions: They must be stored as required by NC records retention regulation. They must be made available to a county board of elections office to allow the research of voters who voted a provisional ballot and claimed to have registered at an NVRA agency. The storage area must be open to elections officials to review as needed.
19. Preference Form Retention Schedule
20. Agency Voter Registration Form Agencies must use the proper voter registration form based on agency type:
21. Requirements for Voter Registration Anyone can apply to register to vote or change their voting address or party affiliation when they are conducting business with your agency, including application for services, recertification, or renewal. They must meet the following requirements: Must be a United States citizen. Must be a resident of North Carolina. Must be 18 years old by the time of the next general election. Cannot be a convicted felon. Note that citizenship is automatically restored upon completion of sentence, including probation & parole per N.C. law. Citizenship Concerns Only United States Citizens may register to vote. Proof of citizenship is not necessary. Do not assume that a person with an accent is not a U.S. citizen. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES allow a client that you know not to be a U.S. citizen to register, even if they insist. It is a crime both for the person registering and those allowing it with the knowledge that the person is not a U.S. citizen. If you have difficulty with such persons, you can call the State Board of Elections and we will be happy to assist you.
22. Voter Registration Form Current Version 072008
23. Required Fields on VR Form Citizenship box and age box must be checked, if the applicant checks “no” to either he/she should go no further. This is important. First and last name Date of Birth Driver’s License Number or, if the applicant does not have a driver’s license number, the last four digits of the applicant’s social security number. If the applicant has neither a NCDL or SSN, still submit the form, the State Board of Elections will provide a unique ID to the voter. Residence address Signature and date at the bottom of the form. Address Matters!!! Where a voter lives determines a client’s voting districts ─ having a voter’s current address and name is essential. Use the Voter Registration form as a change of information form. Sloppy Forms Voting Rights are important. Forms need to be filled out in a way that is readable. If a voter registration form is filled out in a way that you have trouble reading or understanding it, please encourage corrections or give the voter a new form to use. Make sure they sign the form.
24. Assistance to Clients You are required to offer the same level of assistance to clients filling out voter registration forms as you would offer for your own agency forms. Clients can take VR form home Clients who want to take the VR form home are welcome to do so. If a client takes a VR form home, please advise the client that the VR form can be returned in any of three ways: MAIL the completed form to the board of elections office in the county where he/she lives, HAND DELIVER the form to the county board of elections office, or have a third party return the form either to the county board of elections or to the agency, or RETURN the form to the agency office for transmittal to the county board of elections. Note: A Preference Form must still be completed by the client or the agency intake staff.
25. Confidentiality If a client registers in your office, the office name and location where the client registered is confidential and will be used only for voter registration purposes. This is mandated both by Federal and State law.
26. Political Activity When assisting a person to register to vote you may not display any political signs or slogans. You may not wear any political apparel or buttons. You may not give advice or information about political parties or persons. You may not attempt to influence the political party chosen by the applicant. Be careful that the individual makes a voluntary attempt to register to vote. He/she should be assured that this decision will not affect the level of service offered at the agency.
27. Ordering VR Supplies Use the North Carolina Voter Registration Materials Order Form The form can be obtained from the State Board of Elections website www.NCSBE.gov You can submit the form: By E-mail. Just complete online and hit the “Submit” button. By Fax to 919-715-0135 By Mail: ATTN: Request for Voter Registration Forms NC State Board of Elections P.O. Box 27255 Raleigh, NC 27611-7255 Other NVRA Forms & Materials Agency Transmittal Form Agency Manual Agency Posters AgencyTransmittalForm SuppliesRequestForm AgencyManual
28. State Board of Elections Contact Online NVRA Agency information: www.sboe.state.nc.us/agency/agency.htm General Questions: 919-733-7173 866-522-4723 NVRA Coordinator: Veronica Degraffenreid (919) 715-1830 Veronica.Degraffenreid@ncsbe.gov