CONGRESS: Memorializes Congress to amend the National Voter Registration Act.
Summary
SCR 31 is a concurrent resolution that memorializes the United States Congress to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA). The resolution argues that voter registration practices have changed substantially since the NVRA was enacted, especially because of online voter registration and broader internet access, and that the federal law should be updated to reflect those changes. It specifically calls for Congress to remove what it describes as cumbersome and outdated requirements tied to state compliance, particularly the mandate that motor vehicle departments and certain public assistance agencies be used as voter registration access points.
The resolution emphasizes that Louisiana already offers online, in-person, and mail voter registration through parish registrars, and that online systems are a more efficient and accessible model for the public. It frames the requested federal change as a way to reduce bureaucracy, improve efficiency, and keep voter rolls current and accurate. The measure does not itself change Louisiana election law; instead, it is a formal request from the Legislature urging Congress to revise federal voter registration requirements.
Impact
SCR 31 would not directly amend Louisiana statutes or alter state election procedures by itself. Its legal effect is limited to a legislative memorial to Congress, but it signals Louisiana’s support for revisiting the NVRA’s federal registration framework, including the motor-voter and agency-based registration provisions that affect state compliance obligations. If Congress acted on the request, the change could reduce or reshape duties imposed on state DMVs and public assistance agencies in the voter registration process.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests the resolution received majority support in the Senate, passing 24-8 on April 29, 2026. The bill text is strongly favorable toward modernization of voter registration and presents the proposal as a practical efficiency measure rather than a partisan election-policy overhaul. No committee transcript is available, but the vote indicates there was meaningful support alongside a notable minority of opposition.
Contention
The main point of contention is the resolution’s call to remove federal requirements that involve DMVs and public assistance agencies in voter registration. Supporters characterize those requirements as outdated, bureaucratic, and less necessary in an era of online registration, while opponents likely view them as important access points that help ensure broad voter registration opportunities. The split Senate vote suggests disagreement over whether simplifying compliance would improve efficiency or risk reducing registration access.