The first step in helping America vote is helping America register to vote. The "National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA)" also known as the "Motor Voter" act has helped enhance voting opportunities for every American. Since 1993, the act has worked to remove the vestiges of discrimination, which have historically resulted in lower voter registration rates of minorities and persons with disabilities. The NVRA has brought new voices to the political process by making it easier for all Americans to exercise their fundamental right to vote.

Two major provisions in the act were the "motor voter" provision and the mail-in voter registration provision. Before 1993, the various Departments of Motor Vehicles were not required to offer to register citizens to vote. The "motor voter" provision called for the department of motor vehicles to not only carry voter registration forms, but to also inform all driver licenses renewals and applicants of their opportunity to register to vote right there in the office.

Additionally, citizens were required to register to vote in person, and mail-in registrations were not accepted. However, after the passage of NVRA citizens can now simply mail-in their voter registration form. Therefore, citizens can register to vote on web sites to fill out voter registration forms and then mail them in to their state elections office.

It is important to note that most web sites carry the National Voter Registration Form, which is not excepted by all states. Regardless, you should mail in the national form to your state elections office and if they do not accept such a form then they will send you the state form through the mail, which you can then mail back. You will be taking one extra step, but in the end you will be registered to vote without leaving your house.

HAVA Requirements for Voter Identification

Requirements under Title III of HAVA set national standards for the types of identification voters (especially first-time voters and those who do not include some form of ID when registering by mail) need to bring to the polls. HAVA mandates that states require first-time voters who registered by mail to show one of a number of forms of ID when they vote at the polls, if they did not include verification when registering. HAVA ID requirements also extend to those that have not previously voted in election for federal office in the state or in the jurisdiction.

• current and valid photo identification (government issued photo ID) or
• a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter.

Who is Not Subject to HAVA ID Requirements?

Any person who has registered to vote by mail and has submits as part of their registration:

• a copy of current and valid photo ID; or
• a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter; or
• a driver's license number; or
• at least the last 4 digits of the individual's social security number.

Debates Over Voter ID Requirements

The question of what type of identification voters should be required to present prior to voting has become one of the most contested issues in the election reform community. In September 2005, the Carter-Baker Commission on Federal Election Reform released a series of recommendations designed to make voting participation easier, while also ensuring ballot integrity. Among these recommendations was a proposal to require all voters to produce a standard photo ID card before being allowed to vote. The Commission called for use of the Real ID card, which Congress has mandated as the driver’s license of the future. For the 12% of voting-age citizens who do not possess a driver’s license, the Commission recommended that states provide a free ID card that contains the same key personal information. This proposal has drawn sharp criticism from those who believe that it could intimidate or discourage some Americans, disproportionately affecting the elderly, the poor, and minorities, from participating in elections. Opponents of the Real ID requirement argue that it is more restrictive than any current state law and that there is little evidence that the balancing act between fraud and access will be satisfactorily resolved by such a requirement.

No One Should Leave a Polling Site Without Casting a Ballot

If a person shows up to the polls without the required ID, they may cast a provisional ballot, which will then be subject to the provisional ballot process as required by HAVA. Therefore, NO ONE SHOULD LEAVE A POLLING SITE WITHOUT CASTING SOME TYPE OF BALLOT, PROVISIONAL OR OTHERWISE.