BACKGROUND

The California Department of Motor Vehicles is violating the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) by failing to offer California drivers and identification card holders the opportunity to register to vote.

(PRE) LITIGATION

On February 5, 2015, the ACLU of California Voting Rights Project (based here in San Diego) sent a pre-litigation notice of noncompliance to the California Secretary of State on behalf of the League of Women Voters of California, the Association of Californians for Community Empowerment, California Common Cause, the National Council of La Raza, and three individuals deprived of voter registration opportunities.

Secretary of State Alex Padilla has identified improving NVRA compliance at DMV as a top priority, and we are currently engaged in ongoing negotiations with Secretary Padilla, the DMV, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Governor’s office regarding DMV compliance.

CO-COUNSEL

Co-counsel in this legal action include Demos, Project Vote, and the law firm of Morrison & Foerster.

CASE DEVELOPMENTS

• On May 4, 2016, the DMV announced they had taken the necessary first steps toward improving voter registration services offered online and in all of its field offices.

MEDIA

• If you registered to vote at the DMV, check again, Los Angeles Times, May 9, 2016