National Voter Registration Act (NVRA)

The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) is a federal voter registration law intended to:

• Provide increased opportunities for eligible citizens to register to vote.
• Increase voter participation.
• Ensure voter registries are accurate and up-to-date.

The NVRA requires the State of South Dakota to designate any government agency that 1) provides public assistance; or 2) administers State-funded programs, primarily engaged in providing services to persons with disabilities, as a Voter Registration Agency (VRA). A VRA is an agency that must provide voter registration services. The following South Dakota State government agencies and offices are VRAs:

• Department of Labor and Regulation
• Department of Public Safety
• Department of Social Services
The Department of Labor and Regulation is required to offer voter registration in limited circumstances when applicants complete the pre-application (DSS 201) for TANF services. Oversight for this limited service is provided by the Department of Social Services.
• Department of Health
• Department of Human Services

Known or suspected NVRA compliance issues or violations at an Agency of any office where Covered Transactions* occur can be reported to the Secretary of State's office by emailing nvra@state.sd.us.

*Covered Transactions: Transactions specified in the NVRA, 52 U.S.C 20506(a)(6)(A), including applications, renewals, and change of address requests for Driver's licenses and non-driver identification cards, 52 U.S.C 20504(a) & (d) and application, renewals, recertification, and change of address request for public assistance, 52 U.S.C. 20506(a)(6)(1), whether conducted in-person or remotely, and whether conducted at an Agency or another site pursuant to a contract or agreement with an Agency.