HPE Module 2National Voter Registration Act

(NVRA) Training

NVRA History• The National Voter Registration Act became effective in

1993.• NVRA mandates methods to make registering to vote

easier.• Louisiana law requires the Secretary of State to act as the

chief election official, coordinate elections, and follow NVRA requirements.

• Three ways to register• Mail• Motor Voter (DMV)• Agency Based Registration

Registrar of Voters

• Each parish has a designated Registrar of Voters, their responsibilities include:• Receiving, reviewing, and processing voter registration

applications.• Forwarding voter registration applications received from

other parishes to the appropriate Registrar of Voters based on the residence of the registrant.

What are designated voter registration agencies?

• Federal NVRA law provides that:• Among others, all offices and agencies in the state that

provide• Public services, and• State-funded services to persons with disabilities.• Any agency that contracts with a state office or agency, such as

DHH, providing either of these services must also comply with NVRA requirements.

Voter Registration Requirements

Be a United States citizen

Reside in the state and parish in which registration is sought

Be at least 17 years old but must be 18 years old prior to next election to vote

Not be under an order of imprisonment for conviction of a felony

Not be under a full or limited legal suspension of voting rights

VOTER REGISTRATION IS A REQUIREMENT!

DO: Handle all persons registering to vote with sensitivity.

DO: Treat a change of address/name for the designated location's purposes as an address change or a name change for voter registration purposes, unless the person does not wish the change to be for voter registration purposes.

DO: Provide the same degree of assistance to each person in completing the voter registration application as you provide to a person in completing Medicaid forms.

DO: Assist the person in completing the mail voter registration application, unless the person refuses

DO: Offer the opportunity to register to vote each time a person applies for service or assistance this includes re-certification, renewal, and change of address or name.

• Try to influence a person's political preference or party registration.

DON’T

• Display any personal political preference or party allegiance.

DON’T

• Make any statement to a person or take any action which would discourage that person from registering to vote.

DON’T

• Make any statement or take any action which would lead a person to believe that a decision to register to vote or not register to vote would have any bearing on the availability of services or benefits from the designated location.

DON’T

THE Do's AND DON’Ts OF VOTER REGISTRATION

Confidential Information

Social security number

Driver’s license number

Electronic (email) address

Mother’s maiden name

Day and month of the date of birth

Information about declining to register

to vote

The fact that an applicant is entitled

to assistance in voting

Information about the specific location

where a client applies to register to vote

Voter Registration

NVRADF

LR-1M

• The original is sent to Medicaid’s Customer Service Unit (CSU) via Fax

• The copy is sent to Medicaid CSU via fax (unless filled out at www.geauxvote.com)

• The original is sent to the Registrar of Voters for the parish where the person lives.

Two Forms associated with Voting

Declaration Form (NVRADF)When offered the opportunity to register to vote, a person may decline or accept.

A declaration form shall be completed for each person, whether registering, declining to register, or already registered.

If a person does not wish to register and refuses to complete or sign the declaration form, the person is considered to have declined to register to vote. The interviewer should indicate on the declaration form under the comments/remarks section that the person refused to sign.

All completed declaration forms shall be sent to the Medicaid Customer Service Unit via fax at 877-523-2987

Do not send declaration forms to the Secretary of State or to the registrars of voters.

Click the “Resources” link to the right to access the NVRADF.

Declaration Form (NVRADF)

Step 1

• Begin processing the 1-HPE application.

Step 2

• During the processing, the HPE applicant must also be offered an opportunity to register to vote. Ask the HPE applicant "If you are not registered to vote where you live now, would you like to apply to register to vote here today?"

Step 3

• If the HPE applicant declines to register to vote, complete the declaration form (NVRADF) and fax it to the CSU.

Step 4

• If the HPE applicant wishes to register to vote, the interviewer should complete the declaration form, marking "yes“. Then the LR-1M (voter registration application form) should be completed in black ink. DO NOT USE PENCIL. Assure the LR-1M is completed and that the registrant signs and dates the LR-1M. Only those items marked "optional" or "if applicable" are not required to be completed. The same degree of assistance provided in completing providers’ forms shall be provided in completing the voter registration application form.

Step 5

• If the application is for a new registration, tell the registrant "You are not officially registered to vote until the parish registrar of voters receives and approves your application." It is extremely important that you do NOT indicate to the registrant that they are registered when you accept the application.

Step 6

• After completion of the voter registration application form (whether for new registration, address change or name change request), the interviewer shall review the application for legibility and completeness. Verify that the registrant has signed the application in the appropriate box. The interviewer detaches the top portion of the application and returns it to the registrant.

Step 7

• Mail the original voter registration form in an envelope to the "Registrar of Voters" using the appropriate address for the parish in which the applicant resides. Fax a copy of the completed voter registration form and the NVRADF to the CSU.

DO NOT HOLD APPLICATIONS. MAIL COMPLETED APPLICATIONS TO THE PARISH REGISTRAR OF

VOTERS AND FAX A COPY TO THE CSU EACH DAY.

Handling Questions

If a registrant has any questions regarding voter registration, you may refer the registrant to the local

registrar of voters or to the Secretary of State’s web site at www.Geauxvote.com

Persons with questions may also call the Department of State, or the parish Registrar of Voters. Telephone

numbers for both are printed on the LR-1M

Note to the interviewer receiving the application

• It is very important that the interviewer reads the "Affirmation" information carefully to assure that the registrant meets the requirements to register to vote prior to completing the application and signing his/her name or mark. If the person cannot read, the interviewer must read the affirmation to the registrant. Assure that the registrant's signature or mark is placed in the appropriate box.

• The interviewer completes the information in the grey box on reverse side of the form by circling “PA”. The interviewer signs the form on the line marked, “ Received by”. The interviewer forwards the completed original LR-1M to the parish registrar of voters office daily.

Please RememberDO NOT HOLD APPLICATIONS.

MAIL COMPLETED APPLICATIONS TO THE PARISH

REGISTRAR OF VOTERS EACH DAY.

• Mail the completed applications in an envelope to the parish "Registrar of Voters" using the appropriate address for the parish where the applicant resides.

• Timely processing is critical to protect the

person's right to vote in upcoming elections.

Getting Help• The office of your local registrar of voters and the

Secretary of State, Registration Division, will provide support and assistance whenever you need it.

• Check the agency's web site at www.geauxvote.com

• The Secretary of State, Registration Division, may • be reached by calling (225) 922-0900 or toll-free at • 1-800-883-2805.

WE ARE HERE TO ASSIST YOU