National Voter Registration Act of 1993
PL 103-31 (H.R.2), enacted 05/20/1993

PUBLIC LAW 103-31—MAY 20, 1993 
107 STAT. 77 
Public Law 103-31 
103d Congress 
An Act 
To establish national voter registration procedures for Federal elections, and for 
other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of 
America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the "National Voter Registration 
Act of 1993". 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES. 
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds that— 
(1) the right of citizens of the United States to vote is 
a fundamental right; 
(2) it is the duty of the Federal, State, and local govern-
ments to promote the exercise of that right; and 
(3) discriminatory and unfair registration laws and proce-
dures can have a direct and damaging effect on voter participa-
tion in elections for Federal office and disproportionately harm 
voter participation by various groups, including racial minori-
ties. 
(b) PURPOSES.—^The purposes of this Act are— 
(1) to establish procedures that will increase the number 
of eligible citizens who register to vote in elections for Federal 
office; 
(2) to make it possible for Federal, State, and local govern-
ments to implement this Act in a manner that enhances the 
participation of eligible citizens as voters in elections for Federal 
office; 
(3) to protect the integrity of the electoral process; and 
(4) to ensure that accurate and current voter registration 
rolls are maintained. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
As used in this Act— 
(1) the term "election" has the meaning stated in section 
301(1) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 
431(1)); 
(2) the term "Federal office" has the meaning stated in 
section 301(3) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 
(2 U.S.C. 431(3)); 
(3) the term "motor vehicle driver's license" includes any 
personal identification document issued by a State motor 
vehicle authority; 
May 20. 1993 
[H.R. 2] 
National Voter 
Registration Act 
of 1993. 
Inter-
governmental 
relations. 
42 u s e 1973gg 
note. 
42 u s e 1973gg. 
42 u s e 1973gg-l. 
107 STAT. 78 
PUBLIC LAW 103-31—MAY 20, 1993 
(4) the term "State" means a State of the United States 
and the District of Columbia; and 
(5) the term "voter registration agency** means an office 
designated under section 7(a)(1) to perform voter registration 
activities. 
42 use 1973gg-2. SEC. 4. NATIONAL PROCEDURES FOR VOTER REGISTRATION FOR 
ELECTIONS FOR FEDERAL OFFICE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection (b), notwith-
standing any other Federal or State law, in addition to any other 
method of voter registration provided for under State law, each 
State shall establish procedures to register to vote in elections 
for Federal office— 
(1) by application made simultaneously with an application 
for a motor vehicle driver's license pursuant to section 5; 
(2) by mail application pursuant to section 6; and 
(3) by application in person— 
(A) at the appropriate registration site designated with 
respect to the residence of the applicant in accordance 
with State law; and 
(B) at a Federal, State, or nongovemmentel ofiifice des-
ignated under section 7. 
(b) NONAPPLICABILITY TO CERTAIN STATES.—This Act does not 
apply to a State described in either or both of the following para-
graphs: 
(1) A State in which, imder law that is in effect continu-
ously on and after March 11,1993, there is no voter registration 
requirement for any voter in the State with respect to an 
election for Federal office. 
(2) A State in which, under law that is in effect continu-
ously on and after March 11, 1993, or that was enacted on 
or prior to March 11, 1993, and by its terms is to come into 
effect upon the enactment of this Act, so long as that law 
remains in effect, all voters in the State may register to vote 
at the polling place at the time of voting in a general election 
for Federal onice. 
42 use 1973gg-3. SEC. 5. SIMULTANEOUS APPUCATION FOR VOTER REGISTRATION AND 
APPUCATION FOR MOTOR VEHICLE DRIVER'S UCENSE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—(1) Each State motor vehicle driver's license 
application (including any renewal application) submitted to the 
appropriate Stete motor vehicle authority under State law shall 
serve as an application for voter registration with respect to elec-
tions for Federal office imless the applicant fails to sign the voter 
registration application. 
(2) An application for voter registration submitted imder para-
graph (1) shall be considered as updating any previous voter reg-
istration by the applicant. 
(b) LIMITATION ON USE OF INFORMATION.—No information relat-
ing to the failure of an applicant for a State motor vehicle driver's 
license to sign a voter registration application may be used for 
any purpose other than voter registration. 
(c) FORMS AND PROCEDURES.—(1) Each Stete shall include a 
voter registration application form for elections for Federal office 
as part of an application for a Stete motor vehicle driver's license. 
(2) The voter registration application portion of an appHcation 
for a Stete motor vehicle driver's hcense— 
PUBLIC LAW 103-31—MAY 20, 1993 
107 STAT. 79 
(A) may not require any information that duplicates 
information required in the driver's Ucense portion of the form 
(other than a second signature or other information necessary 
under subparagraph (C)); 
(B) may require only the minimum amount of information 
necessary to— 
(i) prevent duplicate voter registrations; and 
(ii) enable State election officials to assess the eligi-
bility of the applicant and to administer voter registration 
and other parts of the election process; 
(C) shall include a statement that— 
(i) states each eligibility requirement (including citizen-
ship); 
(ii) contains an attestation that the appUcant meets 
each such reqmrement; and 
(iii) requires the signatiure of the applicant, under pen-
alty of perjury; 
(D) shall include, in print that is identical to that used 
in the attestation portion of the application— 
(i) the information required in section 8(aX5) (A) and 
(B); 
(ii) a statement that, if an applicant declines to register 
to vote, the fact that the appUcant has declined to register 
will remain confidential and will be used only for voter 
registration purposes; and 
(iii) a statement that if an applicant does register 
to vote, the office at which the applicant submits a voter 
registration application will remain confidential and will 
be used only for voter registration purposes; and 
(E) shall be made available (as submitted by the applicant, 
or in machine readable or other format) to the appropriate 
State election official as provided by State law. 
(d) CHANGE OF ADDRESS.—Any change of address form submit-
ted in accordance with State law for purposes of a State motor 
vehicle driver's license shall serve as notification of change of 
address for voter registration with respect to elections for Federal 
office for the registrant involved unless the registrant states on 
the form that the change of address is not for voter registration 
purposes. 
(e) TRANSMITTAL DEADLINE.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a 
completed voter registration portion of an application for a State 
motor vehicle driver's license accepted at a State motor vehicle 
authority shall be transmitted to the appropriate State election 
official not later than 10 days after the date of acceptance. 
(2) If a registration application is accepted within 5 days before 
the last day for registration to vote in an election, the application 
shall be transmitted to the appropriate State election official not 
later than 5 days after the date of acceptance. 
SEC. 6. MAIL REGISTRATION. 
42 USC 1973gg-4. 
(a) FORM.—(1) Each State shall accept and use the mail voter 
registration application form prescribed by the Federal Election 
Commission pursuant to section 9(a)(2) for the registration of voters 
in elections for Federal office. 
(2) In addition to accepting and using the form described in 
paragraph (1), a State may develop and use a mail voter registration 
107 STAT. 80 
PUBLIC LAW 103-31—MAY 20, 1993 
form that meets all of the criteria stated in section 9(b) for the 
registration of 
voters in elections for Federal office. 
(3) A form described in paragraph (1) or (2) shall be accepted 
and used for notification of a registrant's change of address. 
(b) AVAILABILITY OF FORMS.—The chief State election official 
of a State shall make the forms described in subsection (a) available 
for distribution through governmental and private entities, with 
particular emphasis on making them av£dlable for organized voter 
registration programs. 
(c) FIRST-TIME VOTERS.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a State 
may by law require a person to vote in person i
f
— 
(A) the person was registered to vote in a jurisdiction 
by mail; and 
(B) the person has not previously voted in that jurisdiction. 
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply in the case of a person— 
(A) who is entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the 
Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 
U.S.C. 1973fr-l et seq.); 
(B) who is provided the right to vote otherwise than in 
person imder section 3(bX2XBXii) of the Voting Accessibility 
for the Elderly and Handicapped Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ee-
l(bX2XBXii)); or 
(C) who is entitled to vote otherwise than in person under 
any other Federal law. 
(d) UNDELIVERED NOTICES.—If a notice of the disposition of 
a mail voter registration application under section 8(aX2) is sent 
by nonforwardable mail and is returned undelivered, the registrar 
may proceed in accordance with section 8(d). 
42 use 1973gg-5. SEC. 7. VOTER REGISTRATION AGENCIES. 
(a) DESIGNATION.—(1) Each Stete shall designate agencies for 
the registration of voters in elections for Federal office. 
(2) Each State shall designate as voter registration agencies— 
(A) all offices in the Stete that provide public assistance; 
and 
(B) all offices in the Stete that provide Stete-funded pro-
grams primarily engaged in providing services to persons with 
disabilities. 
(3XA) In addition to voter registration agencies designated 
imder paragraph (2), each Stete shall designate other offices within 
the Stete as voter registration agencies. 
(B) Voter registration agencies designated under subparagraph 
(A) may include— 
(i) State or local government offices such as public libraries, 
public schools, offices of city and county clerks (including mar-
riage license bureaus), fishing and hunting license bureaus, 
government revenue offices, unemplojonent compensation 
offices, and offices not described in paragraph (2XB) that pro-
vide services to persons with disabilities; and 
(ii) Federal and nongovernmental offices, with the agree-
ment of such offices. 
(4XA) At each voter registration agency, the following services 
shall be made available: 
(i) Distribution of mail voter registration application forms 
in accordance with paragraph (6). 
(ii) Assistance to applicants in completing voter registration 
application forms, unless the applicant refuses such assistance. 
PUBLIC LAW 103-31—MAY 20, 1993 
107 STAT. 81 
(iii) Acceptance of completed voter registration application 
forms for transmittal to the appropriate State election official. 
(B) If a voter registration agency designated under paragraph 
(2XB) provides services to a person with a disability at the person's 
home, the agency shall provide the services described in subpara-
graph (A) at the person's home. 
(5) A person who provides service described in paragraph (4) 
shall not— 
(A) seek to influence an applicEint's political preference 
or party registration; 
(B) display any such political preference or party allegiance; 
(C) make any statement to an applicant or take any action 
the purpose or efTect of which is to discourage the applicant 
from registering to vote; or 
(D) make any statement to an applicant or take any action 
the purpose or effect of which is to lead the applicant to believe 
that a decision to register or not to register has any bearing 
on the availability of services or benefits. 
(6) A voter registration agency that is an office that provides 
service or assistance in addition to conducting voter registration 
shall— 
(A) distribute with each application for such service or 
assistance, and with each recertification, renewal, or change 
of address form relating to such service or assistance— 
(i) the mail voter registration application form 
described in section 9(aX2), including a statement that— 
(I) specifies each eligibility requirement (including 
citizenship); 
(II) contains an attestation that the applicant 
meets each such requirement; and 
(III) requires the signature of the applicant, under 
penalty of perjury; or 
(ii) the office's own form if it is equivalent to the 
form described in section 9(aX2), 
unless the applicant, in writing, declines to register to vote; 
(B) provide a form that includes— 
(i) the question, "If you are not registered to vote 
where you live now, would you Uke to apply to register 
to vote here today?"; 
(ii) if the agency provides public assistance, the state-
ment, "Applying to register or declining to register to vote 
will not affect the amount of assistance that you will be 
provided by this agency."; 
(iii) boxes for the applicant to check to indicate whether 
the applicant would Uke to register or declines to register 
to vote (failure to check either box being deemed to con-
stitute a declination to register for purposes of subpara-
graph (O), together with the statement (in close proximity 
to the boxes and in prominent type), "IF YOU DO NOT 
CHECK EITHER BOX, YOU WILL BE CONSIDERED 
TO HAVE DECIDED NOT TO REGISTER TO VOTE AT 
THIS TIME."; 
(iv) the statement, "If you would like help in filling 
out the voter registration application form, we will help 
you. The decision whether to seek or accept help is yours. 
You may fill out the application form in private. ; and 
107 STAT. 82 
PUBLIC LAW 103-31—MAY 20, 1993 
(v) the statement, "If you believe that someone has 
interfered with your right to register or to dedine to reg-
ister to vote, your right to privacy in deciding whether 
to register or in applying to register to vote, or your right 
to choose your own political party or other political pref-
erence, you may file a complaint with 
.", the 
blank being filled by the name, address, and telephone 
number of the appropriate ofiicial to whom such a com-
plaint should be addressed; and 
(C) provide to each applicant who does not decline to reg-
ister to vote the same degree of assistance with regard to 
the completion of the registration application form as is pro-
vided by the office with regard to the completion of its own 
forms, imless the applicant refuses such assistance. 
(7) No information relating to a declination to register to vote 
in connection with an application made at an office described in 
paragraph (6) may be used for any purpose other than voter reg-
istration. 
(b) FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SECTOR COOPERA-
TION.—^All departments, agencies, and other entities of the executive 
branch of the Federal Grovemment shall, to the greatest extent 
practicable, cooperate with the States in carrying out subsection 
(a), and all nongovernmental entities are encouraged to do so. 
(c) ARMED FORCES RECRUITMENT OFFICES.—(1) Each State and 
the Secretary of Defense shall jointly develop and implement proce-
dures for persons to apply to register to vote at recruitment ofilces 
of the Armed Forces of the United States. 
(2) A recruitment office of the Armed Forces of the United 
States shall be considered to be a voter registration agency des-
ignated under subsection (aX2) for all purposes of this Act. 
(d) TRANSMITTAL DEADLINE.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a 
completed registration application accepted at a voter registration 
agency shall be transmitted to the appropriate State election official 
not later than 10 days after the date of acceptance. 
(2) If a registration application is accepted within 5 days before 
the last day for registration to vote in an election, the application 
shall be transmitted to the appropriate State election ofiicial not 
later than 5 days after the date of acceptance. 
42 use 1973gg-6. SEC. 8. REQUIREMENTS WITH RESPECT TO ADMINISTRATION OF 
VOTER REGISTRATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In the administration of voter registration 
for elections for Federal office, each State shall— 
(1) ensure that any eligible applicant is registered to vote 
in an election— 
(A) in the case of registration with a motor vehicle 
application under section 5, if the valid voter registration 
form of the applicant is submitted to the appropriate State 
motor vehicle authority not later than the lesser of 30 
days, or the period provided by State law, before the date 
of the election; 
(B) in the case of registration by mail under section 
6, if the valid voter registration form of the applicant 
is postmarked not later than the lesser of 30 days, or 
the period provided by State law, before the date of the 
election; 
PUBLIC LAW 103-31—MAY 20, 1993 
107 STAT. 83 
(C) in the case of registration at a voter registration 
agency, if the valid voter registration form of the applicant 
is accepted at the voter registration agency not later than 
the lesser of 30 days, or the period provided by State 
law, before the date of the election; and 
(D) in £iny other case, if the valid voter registration 
form of the applicant is received by the appropriate State 
election official not later than the lesser of 30 days, or 
the period provided by State law, before the date of the 
election; 
(2) reqmre the appropriate State election of&cial to send 
notice to each applicant of the disposition of the application; 
(3) provide that the name of a registrant may not be 
removed from the official list of eligible voters except— 
(A) at the request of the registrant; 
(B) as provided by State law, by reason of criminal 
conviction or mental incapacity; or 
(C) as provided imder paragraph (4); 
(4) conduct a general program that makes a reasonable 
effort to remove the names of ineligible voters from the official 
lists of eligible voters by reason of— 
(A) the death of the registrant; or 
(B) a change in the residence of the registrant, in 
accordance with subsections (b), (c), and (d); 
(5) inform applicants iinder sections 5, 6, and 7 of— 
(A) voter eligibility requirements; and 
(B) penalties provided by law for submission of a false 
voter registration application; and 
(6) ensure that the identity of the voter registration agency 
through which any particular voter is registered is not disclosed 
to the public. 
(b) CONFIRMATION OF VOTER REGISTRATION.—Any State pro-
gram or activity to protect the integrity of the electoral process 
by ensuring the maintenance of an accurate and current voter 
registration roll for elections for Federal office— 
(1) shall be uniform, nondiscriminatory, and in compliance 
with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 1973 et seq.); 
and 
(2) shall not result in the removal of the name of any 
person from the official list of voters registered to vote in 
an election for Federal office by reason of the person's failure 
to vote. 
(c) VOTER REMOVAL PROGRAMS.—(1) A State may meet the 
requirement of subsection (aX4) by establishing a program under 
which— 
(A) change-of-address information supplied by the Postal 
Service through its licensees is used to identify registrants 
whose addresses may have changed; and 
(B) if it appears from information provided by the Postal 
Service that— 
(i) a registrant has moved to a different residence 
address in the same registrar's jurisdiction in which the 
registrant is currently registered, the registrar changes 
the registration records to show the new address and sends 
the registrant a notice of the change by forwardable mail 
and a postage prepaid pre-addressed return form by which 
107 STAT. 84 
PUBLIC LAW 103-31—MAY 20, 1993 
the registrant may verify or correct the address informa-
tion; or 
(ii) the registrant has moved to a different residence 
address not in the same registrar's jurisdiction, the reg-
istrar uses the notice procedure described in subsection 
(dX2) to confirm the change of address. 
(2XA) A State shall complete, not later than 90 days prior 
to the date of a primary or general election for Federal onice, 
any program the purpose of which is to systematically remove 
the names of ineligible voters from the ofncial lists of eligible 
voters. 
(B) Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed to preclude— 
(i) the removal of names from official lists of voters on 
a basis described in paragraph (3) (A) or (B) or (4KA) of sub-
section (a); or 
(ii) correction of registration records pursuant to this Act. 
(d) REMOVAL OF NAMES FROM VOTING ROLLS.—(1) A State 
shall not remove the name of a registrant from the official list 
of eligible voters in elections for Federal office on the ground that 
the registrant has changed residence unless the registrant— 
(A) confirms in writing that the registrant has changed 
residence to a place outside the registrar's jurisdiction in which 
the registrant is registered; or 
(BXi) has failed to respond to a notice described in para-
graph (2); and 
(ii) has not voted or appeared to vote (and, if necessary, 
correct the registrar's record of the registrant's address) in 
an election during the period beginning on the date of the 
notice and ending on the day after the date of the second 
general election mr Federal office that occurs after the date 
of the notice. 
(2) A notice is described in this paragraph if it is a postage 
prepaid and pre-addressed return card, sent by forwardable medl, 
on which the registrant may state his or her current address, 
together with a notice to the following effect: 
(A) If the registrant did not change his or her residence, 
or changed residence but remained in the registrar's jurisdic-
tion, the registrant should return the card not later than the 
time provided for mail registration under subsection (aXlXB). 
If the card is not returned, affirmation or confirmation of the 
registrant's address may be required before the registrant is 
permitted to vote in a Federal election during the period begin-
ning on the date of the notice and ending on the day after 
the date of the second general election for Federal office that 
occurs after the date of the notice, and if the registrant does 
not vote in an election during that period the registrant's name 
will be removed from the list of eligible voters. 
(B) If the registrant has changed residence to a place 
outside the registrar's jurisdiction in which the registrant is 
registered, information concerning how the registrant can con-
tinue to be eligible to vote. 
(3) A voting re^strar shedl correct an ofiicial Ust of eligible 
voters in elections for Federed office in accordance with change 
of residence information obtained in conformance with this sub-
section. 
(e) PROCEDURE FOR VOTING FOLLOWING FAILURE TO RETURN 
CARD.—(1) A registrant who has moved from an address in the 
PUBLIC LAW 103-31—MAY 20, 1993 
107 STAT. 85 
area covered by a polling place to an address in the same area 
shall, notwithstanding failure to notify^ the registrar of the change 
of address prior to the date of an election, be permitted to vote 
at that polling place upon oral or written affirmation by the reg-
istrant of the change of address before an election official at that 
polling place. 
(2XA) A registrant who has moved from an address in the 
area covered by one polling place to an address in an area covered 
by a second polling place within the same registrar's jurisdiction 
and the same congressional district and who nas failed to notify 
the registrar of the change of address prior to the date of an 
election, at the option of the registrant— 
(i) shall be permitted to correct the voting records and 
vote at the registrant's former polling place, upon oral or writ-
ten affirmation by the registrant of the new address before 
an election official at that polling place; or 
(iiXD shall be permitted to correct the voting records and 
vote at a central location within the same registrars jurisdiction 
designated by the registrar where a list of eligible voters is 
maintained, upon written affirmation by the registrant of the 
new address on a standard form provided by the registrar 
at the central location; or 
(II) shall be permitted to correct the voting records for 
purposes of voting in future elections at the appropriate polling 
place for the current address and, if permitted by State law, 
shall be permitted to vote in the present election, upon con-
firmation by the registrant of the new address by such means 
as are required by law. 
(B) If State law permits the registrant to vote in the current 
election upon oral or written affirmation by the registrant of the 
new address at a polling place described in subparagraph (A)(i) 
or (AXiiXII), voting at the other locations described in siioparagraph 
(A) need not be provided as options. 
(3) If the registration records indicate that a registrant has 
moved from an address in the area covered by a polling place, 
the registrant shall, upon oral or written affirmation by the reg-
istrant before an election official at that polling place that the 
registrant continues to reside at the address previously made known 
to the registrar, be permitted to vote at that polling place. 
if) CHANGE OF VOTING ADDRESS WITHIN A JURISDICTION.— 
In the case of a change of address, for voting purposes, of a reg-
istrant to another address within the same registrar's jurisdiction, 
the registrar shall correct the voting registration list accordingly, 
and the registrant's name may not be removed from the official 
list of eligible voters by reason of such a change of address except 
as provided in subsection (d). 
(g) CONVICTION IN FEDERAL COURT.—(1) On the conviction of 
a person of a felony in a district court of the United States, the 
United States attorney shall give written notice of the conviction 
to the chief State election official designated under section 10 of 
the State of the person's residence. 
(2) A notice given pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include— 
(A) the name of the offender; 
(B) the offender's age and residence address; 
(C) the date of entry of the judgment; 
(D) a description of the offenses of which the offender 
was convicted; and 
107 STAT. 86 
PUBLIC LAW 103-31—MAY 20, 1993 
(E) the sentence imposed by the court. 
(3) On request of the chief State election official of a State 
or other State official with responsibility for determining the effect 
that a conviction may have on an offender's qualification to vote, 
the United States attorney shall provide such additional information 
as the United States attorney may have concerning the offender 
and the offense of which the offender was convicted. 
(4) If a conviction of which notice was given pursuant to para-
graph (1) is overturned, the United States attorney shall give the 
official to whom the notice was given written notice of the vacation 
of the judgment. 
(5) The chief State election official shall notify the voter reg-
istration officials of the local jurisdiction in which an offender 
resides of the information received under this subsection. 
(h) REDUCED POSTAL RATES.—(1) Subchapter II of chapter 36 
of title 39, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
*
*
§ 3629. Reduced rates for voter registration purposes 
The Postal Service shall make available to a State or local 
voting registration official the rate for any class of mail that is 
available to a qualified nonprofit organization under section 3626 
for the purpose of making a mailing that the official certifies is 
required or authorized by the National Voter Registration Act of 
1993.". 
(2) The first sentence of section 2401(c) of title 39, United 
States Code, is amended by striking out "and 3626(a)--(h) and 
(jHk) of this title," and inserting in lieu thereof "3626(aHh), 
3626g)-(k), and 3629 of this title". 
(3) Section 3627 of title 39, United States Code, is amended 
by striking out "or 3626 of this title," and inserting in lieu thereof 
"3626, or 3629 of this title". 
(4) The table of sections for chapter 36 of title 39, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to 
section 3628 the following new item: 
"3629. Reduced rates for voter registration purposes.". 
Records. 
(i) PuBUC DISCLOSURE OF VOTER REGISTRATION ACTIVITIES.— 
(1) Each State shall maintain for at least 2 years and shall make 
available for public inspection and, where available, photocopjdng 
at a reasonaole cost, all records concerning the implementation 
of programs and activities conducted for the purpose of ensuring 
the accuracy and currency of official lists of eligible voters, except 
to the extent that such records relate to a declination to register 
to vote or to the identity of a voter registration agency through 
which any particular voter is registered. 
(2) The records maintained pursuant to paragraph (1) shall 
include lists of the names and addresses of all persons to whom 
notices described in subsection (dX2) are sent, and information 
concerning whether or not each such person has responded to 
the notice as of the date that inspection of the records is made. 
(j) DEFINITION.—For the purposes of this section, the term 
"registrar's jurisdiction" means— 
(1) an incorporated city, town, borough, or other form of 
municipality; 
(2) if voter registration is maintained by a county, parish, 
or other unit of government that governs a larger geographic 
PUBLIC LAW 103-31—MAY 20, 1993 
107 STAT. 87 
area than a municipality, the geographic area governed by 
that wait of government; or 
(3) if voter registration is maintained on a consolidated 
basis for more than one municipality or other imit of govern-
ment by an ofilce that performs all of the functions of a voting 
registrar, the geographic area of the consolidated municipalities 
or other geographic imits. 
SEC. 9. FEDERAL COORDINATION AND REGULATIONS. 
42 USC 1973gg-7. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—^The Federal Election Commission— 
(1) in consultation with the chief election officers of the 
States, shall prescribe such regulations as are necessary to 
carry out paragraphs (2) and (3); 
(2) in consultation with the chief election officers of the 
States, shall develop a mail voter registration application form 
for elections for Federal office; 
(3) not later than Jime 30 of each odd-numbered year. Reports. 
shall submit to the Congress a report assessing the impact 
of this Act on the administration of elections for Federal office 
during the preceding 2-year period and including recommenda-
tions for improvements in Federal and State procedures, forms, 
and other matters affected by this Act; and 
(4) shall provide information to the States with respect 
to the responsibilities of the States under this Act. 
(b) CONTENTS OF MAIL VOTER REGISTRATION FORM.—The mail 
voter registration form developed under subsection (a)(2)— 
(1) may require only such identifjdng information (including 
the signature of the applicant) and other information (including 
data relating to previous registration Iw the applicant), as 
is necessary to enable the appropriate State election official 
to assess the eligibility of the applicant and to administer 
voter registration and other parts of the election process; 
(2) shall include a statement that— 
(A) specifies each eligibility requirement (including citi-
zenship); 
(B) contains an attestation that the applicant meets 
each such requirement; and 
(C) requires the signature of the applicant, under pen-
alty of perjury; 
(3) may not include any requirement for notarization or 
other formal authentication; and 
(4) shall include, in print that is identical to that used 
in the attestation portion of the application— 
(i) the information reqmred in section 8(aX5) (A) and 
(B); 
(ii) a statement that, if an applicant declines to register 
to vote, the fact that the applicant has declined to register 
will remain confidential and will be used only for voter 
registration purposes; and 
(iii) a statement that if an applicant does register 
to vote, the office at which the applicant submits a voter 
registration application will remain confidential and will 
be used only for voter registration purposes. 
SEC. 10. DESIGNATION O F CHIEF STATE ELECTION OFFICIAL. 
42 USC 1973gg-8. 
Each State shall designate a State officer or employee as the 
chief State election official to be responsible for coordination of 
State responsibilities under this Act. 
107 STAT. 88 
PUBLIC LAW 103-31—MAY 20, 1993 
42 use 1973gg-9. SEC. 11. CIVIL ENFORCEMENT AND PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION. 
(a) ATTORNEY GENERAL.—^The Attorney General may bring a 
civil action in an appropriate district coiut for such declaratory 
or iivjunctive relief as is necessary to carry out this Act. 
(b) PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION.—(1) A person who is aggrieved 
by a violation of this Act may provide wrritten notice of the violation 
to the chief election official of the State involved. 
(2) If the violation is not corrected within 90 days after receipt 
of a notice xinder paragraph (1), or within 20 days after receipt 
of the notice if the violation occurred within 120 days before the 
date of an election for Federal office, the aggrieved person may 
bring a civil action in an appropriate district court for declaratory 
or injunctive relief with respect to the violation. 
(3) If the violation occurred within 30 days before the date 
of an election for Federal office, the aggrieved person need not 
provide notice to the chief election official of the State under para-
graph (1) before bringing a civil action under paragraph (2). 
(c) ATTORNEY'S FEES.—In a civil action under this section, 
the court may allow the prevailing party (other than the United 
States) reasonable attorney fees, including litigation expenses, and 
costs. 
(d) RELATION TO OTHER LAWS.—(1) The rights and remedies 
established by this section are in addition to all other rights and 
remedies provided by law, and neither the rights and remedies 
established by this section nor any other provision of this Act 
shall supersede, restrict, or limit the application of the Voting 
Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 1973 et seq.). 
(2) Nothing in this Act authorizes or requires conduct that 
is prohibited by the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 1973 
et seq.). 
42 use 
1973gg-10. 
SEC. 12. CRIMINAL PENALTIES. 
A person, including an election official, who in any election 
for Federal office— 
(1) knowingly and willfully intimidates, threatens, or 
coerces, or attempts to intimidate, threaten, or coerce, any 
person for— 
(A) registering to vote, or voting, or attempting to 
register or vote; 
(B) urging or aiding any person to register to vote, 
to vote, or to attempt to register or vote; or 
(C) exercising any right under this Act; or 
(2) knowingly and willfvdly deprives, defrauds, or attempts 
to deprive or defraud the residents of a State of a fair and 
impartially conducted election process, by— 
(A) the procurement or submission of voter registration 
applications that are known by the person to be materially 
false, fictitious, or fraudulent under the laws of the Stete 
in which the election is held; or 
(B) the prociu'ement, casting, or tabulation of ballots 
that are known by the person to be materially false, ficti-
tious, or fraudulent under the laws of the State in which 
the election is held, 
shall be fined in accordance with title 18, United Stetes Code 
(which fines shall be paid into the general fund of the Treasury, 
miscellaneous receipts (pursuant to section 3302 of title 31, United 
PUBLIC LAW 103-31—MAY 20, 1993 
107 STAT. 89 
States Code), notwithstanding any other law), or imprisoned not 
more than 5 years, or both. 
SEC. 13. EFFECTIVE DATE. 
42 USC 1973gg 
This Act shall take effects 
"
°
*
® 
(1) with respect to a State that on the date of enactment 
of this Act has a provision in the constitution of the State 
that would preclude compliance with this Act imless the State 
maintained separate Federal and State official lists of eligible 
voters, on the later o
f
— 
(A) January 1,1996; or 
(B) the date that is 120 days after the date by which, 
under the constitution of the State as in effect on the 
date of enactment of this Act, it would be legally possible 
to adopt and place into effect any amendments to the 
constitution of the State that are necessary to permit such 
compliance with this Act without requiring a special elec-
tion; and 
(2) with respect to any State not described in paragraph 
(1), on January 1,1995. 
Approved May 20, 1993. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 2 (S. 460): 
HOUSE REPORTS: Noe. 103-9 (Comm. on House Administration) and 103-66 
(Comm. of Conference). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 103-6 accompanying S. 460 (Comm. on Rules and 
Administration). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 139 (1993): 
Feb. 4, considered and oassed House. 
Mar. 10,11,15-17, S. 4b0 considered in Senate; H.R. 2, amended, passed in lieu. 
May 5, House agreed to conference report. 
May 6-8, Senate considered and agreed to conference report. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDEISITIAL DOCUMENT, Vol. 29 (1993): 
May 20, Presidential remarks.