U.S. Election Assistance Commission

WASHINGTON – The United States Election Assistance Commission (EAC) today delivered to Congress its report on the Impact of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) of 1993. The NVRA report, which covers registration information from after the 2004 general election through the 2006 general election, and the corresponding data tables are available at www.eac.gov.

The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002 mandates that the EAC submit a report to Congress every two years on the impact of the NVRA on the administration of federal elections. The report was based on information provided by 50 states, the District of Columbia, and two territories, representing 2,978 out of a total 3,524 jurisdictions.

Key Findings of the NVRA Report

• In 2006, there were 172,810,006 registered voters in the United States.

• Between 2004 and 2006, 31 states and 1 territory reported decreases in voter registration; 16 states and 1 territory reported increases.

• Between 2004 and 2006, states reported nearly 36.3 million voter applications processed, and nearly 17.3 million applications were valid new registrations.

• Motor vehicle agencies accounted for more than 45 percent of all registration applications received nationwide.

• Between 2004 and 2006, nearly 13 million names were removed from voter lists under the NVRA list verification procedures.

NVRA established procedures to increase opportunities to register to vote, as well as ensure that accurate and current voter registration lists are maintained. The introduction of the HAVA-required statewide voter registration lists contributed to NVRA’s objectives by improving the way voter registration applications are received, processed, and maintained. The NVRA report includes EAC recommendations to further improve the standardization and the ability to compare registration data across jurisdictions. Recommendations include: continued improvements and modernization of list maintenance systems; develop databases that can track a registrant’s voting and registration history; and train all state agencies involved in voter registration.

EAC is an independent bipartisan commission created by HAVA. It is charged with administering payments to states and developing guidance to meet HAVA requirements, adopting voluntary voting system guidelines, and accrediting voting system test laboratories and certifying voting equipment. EAC also serves as a national clearinghouse and resource of information regarding election administration. The four EAC commissioners are Donetta Davidson, chair; Rosemary Rodriguez, vice chair; Caroline Hunter; and Gracia Hillman.

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