National Council on Disability Report Finds Implementation of the National Voter Registration Act Inconsistent and Poorly Coordinated

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	News Release NCD #99-275 October 1, 1999 Contact: Mark S. Quigley 202-272-2004 202-272-2074 TTY mquigley@ncd.gov National Council on Disability Report Finds Implementation of the National Voter Registration Act Inconsistent and Poorly Coordinated WASHINGTON--The National Council on Disability (NCD) today released its report Implementation of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) by State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies. This report, which is the first to monitor NVRA, found that implementation of this law by states is inconsistent and poorly coordinated. NVRA was enacted 1993 to make it easier for all people to register to vote. Section 7 of NVRA specifies that each state will designate, as voter registration agencies, all offices in the state that provide state-funded programs primarily engaged in providing services to persons with disabilities. One of the largest agencies serving people with disabilities in a state is the vocational rehabilitation agency. According to NCD chairperson Marca Bristo, "Voting is one of the most fundamental rights in a democratic society. Inconsistent and poorly coordinated state programs are denying people with disabilities the ability to exercise their constitutional right to vote. The overall attitude about and approach to implementation of NVRA varies significantly among state vocational rehabilitation agencies. Several agency officials expressed support for and endorsement of the primary objective of NVRA--to empower people with disabilities by expanding the number and range of locations where eligible citizens may obtain and complete the voter registration process. On the other hand, some states viewed NVRA as an unfunded federal mandate and as an intrusion on the state's right to set its own policy agenda." NCD is an independent federal agency charged with advising the President and Congress on public policy affecting people with disabilities. It is currently coordinating a multi-year study on the implementation and enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act, IDEA, and other civil rights laws.


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