Voting rights groups sue Nevada over registration

Voting advocacy groups are suing Nevada, alleging the state is violating the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 by refusing to help low-income residents register to vote.

NAACP branches in Las Vegas and Sparks are joining the National Council of La Raza in the lawsuit filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Reno.

It asks a judge to order the state to comply with the federal law to properly offer voter registration to people applying for public assistance benefits.

Spokeswomen for Nevada Secretary of State Ross Miller and Health and Human Services chief Michael Willden declined comment on the lawsuits.

The advocates said the number of voter registration applications submitted at public assistance offices statewide fell from more than 39,000 before 2000 to fewer than 1,700 in 2010.

Congress enacted the measure to enhance voting opportunities for all Americans. The act has made it easier for people to register to vote and to maintain their registration.