NVRA National Voter Registration Act Manual
User Manual: National-Voter-Registration-Act-NVRA-Manual
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FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT (NVRA) MANUAL Issued 07/10 NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT (NVRA) MANUAL TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Section Numbers 100 Summary 200 Voter Registration Coordinators and Site Coordinators 201 Appointment 202 Duties of the Voter Registration Coordinator 203 Duties of the Voter Registration Site Coordinator 300 State Board of Election Duties 400 Case Manager Responsibilities 401 Distribution of Voter Registration Forms at Face-to-Face Interviews 402 Mail-In Applications/Recertifications 403 Assisting in Completing Voter Registration Forms 500 Completing the Voter Registration Agency Certification (Form DHR 784) 600 Requests by Telephone or Mail-in Redeterminations 700 CARES Procedures 800 Display and Dissemination of Voter Registration Information 900 How to Get Voter Registration Applications/Forms Issued 7/10 1 NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT (NVRA) MANUAL 100 Summary The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) of 1993 became effective on January 1, 1995. The intent of NVRA is to make it easier for all U.S. citizens to register to vote and maintain their registrations. State and Federal laws require all local departments of social services to offer every customer who applies for services, recertifies eligibility, or submits an address change an opportunity to complete and submit a voter registration form. These laws require the Family Investment Administration (FIA) to record and track every response given by a customer when voter registration is discussed. Additional provisions of this manual address mail-in voter registrations, specific public information requirements, and detailed record-keeping procedures. 200 Voter Registration Coordinators and Site Coordinators 201 Appointment A. At every FIA service delivery site, which includes each local department of social services (LDSS) and the DHR Central office, staff must be designated to serve as: 1. The Voter Registration Site Coordinator; and 2. The Local Department Voter Registration Coordinator. B. The Local Department Coordinator may also be the Site Coordinator. C. Each time there is a change, the local department and DHR Central administration must immediately forward the current names and contact telephone numbers of the Site Coordinator and the Local Department Coordinator to the DHR NVRA Liaison: John Murray DHR NVRA Agency Liaison FIA/BOLO 311 West Saratoga Street, Room 613A Baltimore, Maryland 21201 202 Duties of the Local Department Voter Registration Coordinators A. Ensure that each customer who applies for services, recertifies eligibility, or submits an address change is offered an opportunity to complete and submit a voter registration application. Ensure that all DHR staff are consistently carrying out this responsibility. Issued 7/10 2 NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT (NVRA) MANUAL B. Coordinate voter registration activities for all service delivery sites within the local department of social services. C. Serve as the local department liaison to the local Board of Elections, State Board of Elections (SBE) and DHR’s NVRA Liaison. Establish contact with the person at the SBE who is responsible for receiving voter registration application forms. D. Maintain a sufficient stock of voter registration applications, Voter Registration Agency Certifications (DHR 784), and Agency-Based Registration Voter Registration Transmittal Forms (DHR/FIA 786 revised 9/09) to ensure that there is a two month supply of forms available at each service delivery site. E. Reorder supplies of voter registration application forms from the local board of election supervisors as needed. F. Reorder supplies of the Voter Registration Agency Certification and AgencyBased Registration Voter registration Transmittal forms from the DHR Warehouse as needed. 203 Duties of the Voter Registration Site Coordinators A. Maintain an ample supply of voter registration forms for general public use in the reception area and for employees’ use at each service delivery site and avoid running out of forms. B. Collect daily the voter registration application forms completed by applicants/recipients in both the reception area and in interviews with employees. C. Complete once a week and submit to the SBE Office in Annapolis the DHR/FIA 786 and the voter registration applications forms: 1. Write the name and address of the LDSS and the date mailed; 2. Write in the number of voter registration application forms that are being mailed to the SBE (fill in the number of voter registration forms and indicate the period of time covered). When one month ends and the other begins in the report week, ensure the Agency-Based Registration Voter Registration Transmittal form accurately reflects the number of voter registration application forms collected for the month ending and the month beginning; 3. Write in the name, title and telephone number of the person completing the Agency-Based Registration Voter Registration Transmittal form; 4. Note comments as appropriate; 5. Detach the Agency’s carbonized (white) copy of the Agency-Based Registration Voter Registration Transmittal form for the Agency’s record; Issued 7/10 3 NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT (NVRA) MANUAL 6. Attach the yellow copy of the Agency-Based Registration Voter Registration Transmittal form to the voter registration application forms and mail or hand carry the documents to: Roger Stitt, Voter Registration Manager of Operations Maryland State Board of Elections 151 West Street, Suite 200 Annapolis, MD 21401 Telephone # (410) 269-2862 300 State Board of Elections will: A. Write the name, title and telephone number of the SBE staff person completing the Agency-Based Registration Voter Registration Transmittal form; B. Count the number of voter registration application forms and note any discrepancies in the comment section of the Agency-Based Registration Voter Registration transmittal form; and 1. If the documents were hand-delivered, the SBE must mail the Agency Receipt copy to the local department designee. 2. If the documents were mailed, complete the document and mail the Agency Receipt yellow copy to the appropriate LDSS. 400 Case Manager Responsibilities 401 Distribution of Voter Registration Forms at Face-to-Face Interviews A. The case manager must provide a voter registration form and declination form to every household member who is 16 years of age or older and will be 18 years of age on or before the next general election: 1. At application, (new and reopened); 2. When making an address change; 3. At recertification; 4. When adding a person; and 5. When adding a program. Note: If the customer declines to register the case manager will wait until the Issued 7/10 4 NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT (NVRA) MANUAL customer’s next recertification or change of address to again ask whether there is an interest in registering to vote. B. Procedure 1. The case manager must ensure that the household members present at the interview who are 16 years of age or older (and will be 18 years of age on or before the next general election) complete the Voter Registration Agency Certification form DHR 784 or CARES-generated voter registration certification generated by the Eligibility Determination Document (EDD). 2. The case manager will ask applicants and recipients, “Would you like to register to vote or update your voter registration?”, provide the voter registration form, and offer to assist in completing the form. 3. The applicant/recipient may respond to the offer in any of the following ways: a. Complete the form without assistance; b. Complete the form with assistance; c. Take the registration form home to complete, and either return it to the office at a later time, or mail the form directly to the board of elections; and d. Decline to register. Note: See Section 800 for CARES procedures. It is important to accurately code the applicant/recipient’s response on the CARES Dem2 screen at each application, address change and recertification. This code is used for reporting purposes and if coded incorrectly does not accurately reflect our NVRA efforts. 4. Unless the applicant declines to register, encourage the applicant to complete the voter registration application at the interview and to leave the completed form with the case manager for mailing to the SBE. 402 Mail in Applications/Recertifications The Client Information Form (CIF) used for mail in redeterminations includes a question that asks if any eligible person in the household wants to register to vote. If a customer checks “yes”, the local department must mail a voter registration application and a DHR 784 form to the customer. Issued 7/10 5 NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT (NVRA) MANUAL Remember, the customer is not required to return the documents. Do not request the return of these forms. However, the customer may return the forms, in which case the local department must mail the completed voter registration form to the SBE within one week, as provided in section 203 of this manual. 403 Assisting in Completing the Voter Registration Form A. The Agency must provide assistance to the applicant/recipient in completing the voter registration form unless the applicant refuses such assistance. B. Determine whether the applicant/client wishes to complete and submit a voter registration form. If the answer is “Yes,” then ask whether the applicant/recipient desires assistance in completing the application. C. Provide assistance to the applicant/client in completing the form unless the applicant/client declines assistance. D. Procedure 1. Review the form to determine whether all required information was provided. A valid registration form must include the following: a. Identifying information, i.e. name and address; b. A Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) driver’s license number, MVA ID card number, OR (if the applicant does not have a MVA driver’s license or ID card) the last four digits of the applicant’s social security number. c. Information relating to previous registration, if applicable; d. The date of birth and place of birth; and e. A signature in the place indicated on the form. 2. Check the form for completeness and legibility. 500 Completing the Voter Registration Agency Certification (DHR Form 784) A. At every face-to-face interview, the case manager must certify that the applicant/recipient was offered an opportunity to complete and submit a voter registration form by having the applicant/recipient complete and sign the system generated voter registration certification form on the EDD or complete and sign a copy of the DHR 784. Each form contains language required by NVRA. Issued 7/10 6 NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT (NVRA) MANUAL B. The case manager must ensure that a current DHR 784 or the system generated voter registration certification on the EDD is completed for each customer age 16 and over. The current documentation must be in the case record. C. The case manager must document in the case narrative in CARES as appropriate, that the voter registration application and the DHR 784 form were mailed or sent to customers age 16 and over who were not present at the interview or who are completing their case updates by mail. D. Procedure 1. Staff members are specifically prohibited from the following: a. Directly or indirectly seeking to influence an applicant/client’s political preference or party, or to answer any question regarding party affiliation other than the fact that one must belong to a party in order to vote in a primary election; b. Displaying any political or candidate preference or party allegiance; c. Making any statement or taking any action that would discourage voter registration; or d. Making any statement to an applicant/recipient that would lead them to believe the decision regarding voter registration will have an effect on the amount of benefits the agency will provide. 2. LDSS staff members are reminded that they are not agents of Board of Elections or SBE. Therefore, LDSS staff members are not to make decisions as to the eligibility of any person to register. 600 Requests by Telephone or Mail-in Redetermination A. For individuals not required to go to the local department for an application or redetermination or who may be reporting changes by telephone, the case manager must offer the individuals voter registration services. Document actions taken and the individual’s response in the CARES narrative. Note: This also applies to SAIL applications. B. Change of Address 1. A customer who provides a change of address by telephone must be offered an opportunity to complete and submit a voter registration form. Issued 7/10 7 NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT (NVRA) MANUAL 2. When a change of address is reported by telephone, the worker must ask whether the client desires to complete and submit a voter registration form. a. If the customer says “Yes,” the worker will mail a DHR 784 and voter registration application form to the customer at their new address. The customer has the option to mail the application directly to the local board of elections or return the completed application through the mail or in person to the service delivery site. Applications returned to the service delivery site are handled as if the application was completed in the office. b. If the customer says “No” or declines a mailed application form, the worker will wait until the client’s next recertification or change of address to again ask whether there is an interest in registering to vote. 700 CARES Procedure A. The case manager will code the CARES DEM 2 screens according to the answer given by the customer on the DHR 784 or at the interview at the bottom of the DEM2 screens at -Vote-Reg and indicate if the customer was present at the interview - Pres@Int. B. It is important to accurately code the applicant/recipient’s response on the CARES Dem2 screen at each application, address change and recertification. This code is used for reporting purposes and if coded incorrectly does not accurately reflect our NVRA efforts. 1. “Vote-Reg” field - Enter the correct code in the “Vote-Reg” field according to the customer’s response: R: Customer is already registered Y: Yes, customer will register to vote today. Note: Use this code only if the customer actually plans to complete or has already completed the voter registration application. If this code is used, there is an expectation that there will be a voter registration application to send to the Board of Elections. Encourage the customer to complete the voter registration application at the interview and to leave the completed form with the case manager for mailing to the SBE. N: No, customer will not register to vote today. H: This person took the voter registration application home. M: Worker mailed the voter application to this individual in response to a Issued 7/10 8 NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT (NVRA) MANUAL telephone or mail-in transaction. 2. Pres@Int field - In the Pres@Int field: Enter Y if individual present at interview or N if not C. The case manager will document in the CARES narrative, as appropriate, that the voter registration application and the DHR 784 were mailed or sent home to the customer age 16 and older who were not present at the at the interview or who are completing their case update s by mail. Remember, if the forms are mailed to the customer or the customer takes the registration form home, the customer is not required to return the documents. Do not request the return of these forms on the Request for Verification form DHR 1050 or 1052. Issued 7/10 9 NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT (NVRA) MANUAL 800 Display and Dissemination of Voter Registration Forms and Information A. Each agency must provide space in the reception area, fully accessible to the public, for the display and dissemination of voter registration forms and information about voter registration. B. The display space must be stocked with voter registration forms provided by the local board of elections. C. The Site Coordinator will display the posters in the reception area in a highly visible manner. D. A supply of voter registration application forms must be openly displayed for selfservice pick-up by the general public. The local department is not required to staff the voter registration display, but the department must accept completed forms for mailing to SBE (see section 203 of this manual) and provide customer assistance in accordance with this manual. E. The Site Coordinator may set up a drop-in box adjacent to the supply of voter registration applications to facilitate the collection and mailing of completed voter registration applications. NOTE: If a drop-in box is set up in the office, the site coordinator must remove the completed forms at the end of each business day. The completed forms must be held in a secure location until they are forwarded to the SBE within one week, as provided in section 203 of this manual. Issued 7/10 10 NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT (NVRA) MANUAL 900 How To Get Voter Registration Applications/Forms From Your SBE All voter registration forms must be ordered from your local Board of Elections Office. When ordering forms, request voter registration forms that are marked “NVRA”. This will assist in tracking our statistics by DHR/FIA, SBE and the Governor’s office. You may call or pick them up. The following is a listing of the local Boards of Elections Offices. Allegany County 701 Kelly Road, Suite 213 Cumberland, MD 21502-2887 301-777-5931 Dorchester County P.O. Box 414 501 Court Lane, Rm. 105 Cambridge, MD 21613-0414 410-228-2560 St. Mary’s County P.O. Box 197 Leonardtown, MD 20650-0197 301-475-7844, ext. 1610 Anne Arundel County P.O. Box 490 Glen Burnie, MD 21060-0490 410-222-6600 Frederick County Winchester Hall 12 E. Church Street Frederick, MD 21701-5447 301-600-8683 Somerset County P.O. Box 96 Princess Anne, MD 21853-0096 410-651-0767 Baltimore City Charles L. Benton Bldg. 417 E. Fayette Street, Rm. 129 Baltimore, MD 21202 410-396-5550 Garrett County Public Service Center 2008 MD Hwy., Suite 1 Mountain Lake Pk., MD 21550 301-334-6985 Talbot County P.O. Box 353 Easton, MD 21601-0353 410.770-8099 Baltimore County 106 Bloomsbury Avenue Baltimore, MD 21228 410-887-5700 Harford County 133 Industry Lane Forest Hill, MD 21050-1621 410-638-3565 Washington County 35 W. Washington Street, #101 Hagerstown, MD 21740-4833 240-313-2050 Calvert County P.O. Box 798 Prince Frederick, MD 20678-0798 410-535-2214, DC 301.855-1376 Howard County P.O. Box 6800 Columbia, MD 21045 410-313-5820 Wicomico County P. O. Box 4091 Salisbury, MD 21803-4091 410-548-4830 Caroline County Health & Public Services Bldg. 403 S. Seventh Street, Suite 247 Denton, MD 21629-1335 Kent County 135 Dixon Drive Chestertown, MD 21620-1141 410-778-0038 Worcester County 100 Belt Street Snow Hill, MD 21863-1300 240-313-2050 Carroll County 300 S. Center Street, Rm. 212 Westminster, MD 21157-5248 410-386-2080 Montgomery County P.O. Box 4333 Rockville, MD 20849-4333 240-777-8500 TDD 800-735-2558 Cecil County 200 Chesapeake Blvd. Suite 1900 Elkton, MD 21921-6395 410-996-5310 Prince George’s County 16201 Trade Zone Ave., Suite 108 Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 301-430-8020 Charles County P.O. Box 908 La Plata, MD 20646-0908 301-934-8972, 301-870-3167 Queen Anne’s County P.O. Box 274 Centreville, MD 21617-0274 410-758-0832 Issued 7/10 11 NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT (NVRA) MANUAL State Board of Elections, P.O. Box 6486, Annapolis, MD 21401-0486, www.elections.state.md.us, 800-222-8683, MD Relay Service (800) 735-2258 Issued 7/10 12
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