Voter Registration Requirements - Procedures

468-000-316 469-000-304 475-000-307 476-000-301 477-000-309 479-000-319

With the passage of the National Voter Registration Act and LB 76 in the State Legislature, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS) through our local offices is required to offer individuals the opportunity to register to vote when they contact a local NDHHS office. We will also routinely offer this opportunity to clients when they apply for or have an eligibility review of their case for Aid to the Aged, Blind, or Disabled (AABD); Aid to Dependent Children (ADC); Children's Medical Assistance Programs (CMAP); the Food Stamp Program (FSP); or Extended Assistance for Former Department Ward Program.

I. When an individual contacts NDHHS and requests to register to vote but does not request or apply for any of the Department's programs, the local office staff will offer the individual the voter registration form. The individual may complete and -

1. Return the signed voter registration form to the local office for mailing; or

2. Mail or take the voter registration form himself/herself to the county clerk or election commissioner in the county where s/he lives.

II. Individuals in households applying for one of the NDHHS programs listed above are offered the opportunity to register to vote each time they complete or update an application for assistance.

When the client indicates on the application that s/he wishes to register to vote -

1. The worker shall give the individual the voter registration form. If more than one individual listed on the application is a potential voter, the worker shall provide as many forms as are needed or requested by the household.

2. The worker shall explain that the signed voter registration forms may be -

a. Returned to the local office for mailing; or

b. Mailed or taken directly to the county clerk or election commissioner in the county where the voter lives.

3. If the individual requests help in completing the form, the worker may assist to the extent that assistance is given on completing the NDHHS application. If the individual cannot read and requests assistance, the worker will ask all the questions on the voter registration form, but will not probe if the person does not answer a question. The worker must NOT in any way influence the individual in completing the voter registration form.

4. If the signed voter registration form is returned to the local office for mailing, the local office staff shall forward it to the appropriate county clerk or election commissioner with the next mailing. The local office is not responsible for the form being complete or the accuracy of the information on the form.

When the client answers the question on the application "No" or does not answer the question, s/he is considered to have declined the opportunity to register to vote at that time. The worker is not required to take any further action. The signing and dating of the application by the client will verify that the applicant has been given the opportunity to register to vote and has declined.

Local office staff will -

1. Each Friday send the signed voter registration forms received to the county clerk or election commissioner in the county where the individual(s) lives;

2. Order forms from the Central Office Mailroom as needed to ensure that an ample supply is available for individuals wishing to register;

3. Make the voter registration form available to individuals requesting to register, but not wishing to apply for any NDHHS programs;

4. Explain the options available to return the signed registration form to the local office for mailing or mail or take the form themselves to the county clerk or election commissioner in the county where they live.

{Rev. November 1, 1999}