Rules to Offer Voter Registration at Welfare Offices Are Proposed
The federal government proposed new rules Tuesday to help low-income Americans register to vote in welfare offices.
The Health and Human Services Department, moving to implement last year’s Motor Voter Act, said its proposal reverses current regulations that bar the distribution of voter registration materials to welfare recipients and applicants at welfare offices.
Under the law, known officially as the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, public assistance offices must provide voter registration assistance beginning Jan. 1.
These welfare offices will be required to distribute voter registration forms, to assist applicants in filling out the papers and to forward the completed forms to election officials, HHS said.
The voter registration services are to be made available when someone applies for public benefits, is recertified or reports a change in address.
The local offices affected are those that provide Aid to Families With Dependent Children, Medicaid, food stamps and nutrition assistance under the Women, Infants and Children supplemental food program.
The rules take effect after 60 days for public comment.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
