As National Voter Registration Day arrives on Sept. 16, local organizers across Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia are being urged to pay close attention to updated guidelines that shape how community drives can legally and effectively help citizens get on the rolls.
In the District of Columbia, applications submitted by mail, online, or through a registration drive must be received 21 days before Election Day.
While the city does not require training or prior notification for drives, organizers are prohibited from paying participants based on the number of forms they collect. The D.C. Board of Elections offers voter registration training, materials, and even attendance at community events when schedules allow.
“A civic engagement infrastructure is something that needs to be nurtured and maintained constantly — not just during election season,” said Chyann Sapp, campaign director for National Voter Registration Day with Nonprofit Vote. “We collaborate with Fair Elections Center on these comprehensive tools to help our partners build year-round, durable civic engagement capacity within the nonprofit sector. Whether they’re engaged in digital outreach, programming, or field-based voter drives, nonprofits can use these fact sheets to train staff, inform strategy, and ensure every touchpoint — from texts to town halls — is rooted in accurate, accessible civic guidance.”
Maryland law requires more structure.
Drives must return completed forms within five days or by the registration deadline, whichever comes first. Training is mandatory for those seeking to distribute more than 25 applications per day, and volunteers must be at least 18 years old by the next general election.
In addition, the state strictly prohibits compensation tied to the number of forms collected and requires volunteers to inform applicants that they may return their registration directly to the election office.
Virginia’s requirements also stand out. Applications must be received or postmarked 11 days before the election. Training is required for groups requesting 25 or more forms, and it must be renewed annually. Completed applications must be delivered within 10 days of being signed or by the state deadline, whichever comes first.
The law also mandates that applicants receive receipts for their submissions, and failure to comply is a criminal offense.
Fair Elections Center and Nonprofit VOTE said their updated voter registration drive guides are meant to help nonprofits and community groups navigate such state-specific rules with precision.
“We believe that democracy works best when all voices are heard at the ballot box,” said Michelle Kanter Cohen, policy director and senior counsel with Fair Elections Center’s Voting Rights Project. “Helping eligible citizens register to vote should not be a contentious issue. Empowering people and communities to make their voices heard is something we should all be working towards for the greater long-term health of our republic. This isn’t about partisanship — it’s about participation.”