<<DATE>>
Ur M. Jaddou
Director, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services
1 Capital Gateway Drive
Camp Springs, MD 20746
Dear Director Jaddou,
As the <<chief election official title>> of <<state>>, one of my primary goals is to ensure that all eligible citizens in <<state>> have an easy and convenient opportunity to register to vote.
Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act (“NVRA”), specifically 52 U.S.C § 20506(a)(3(A), directs that “[e]ach state shall designate agencies for the registration of voters in elections for Federal office.” Under§ 20506(a)(3(A)ii), states may also designate federal offices, with those offices’ agreement. In addition, this year President Biden issued a groundbreaking federal Executive Order with the purpose of expanding voter registration through increased use of this provision of the NVRA. Executive Order No. 14019, 86 Fed. Reg. 13623 (March 7, 2021) directs that each federal agency, if requested by a state to be designated a voter registration agency, shall to the greatest extent practicable and consistent with applicable law, agree to such designation.
Under <<relevant state statute>>, I am <<chief election official title>> of <<state>> for purposes of the National Voter Registration Act, and I am responsible for coordination of State responsibilities under the NVRA. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (“USCIS”) staff regularly organize and facilitate naturalization ceremonies in <<state>>, and these ceremonies are strong candidates to serve as voter registration providers for the purposes of the NVRA. Per my responsibility under <<state>> law and the NVRA, I designate USCIS as a voter registration agency for all naturalization ceremonies it conducts within <<state>>. I would request that, consistent with President Biden’s Executive Order, the USCIS accept this NVRA designation for all naturalization ceremonies it conducts within <<state>>.
This designation is only the first step in what I know will be a cooperative effort between your staff and my office to determine and implement best practices to take advantage of this exciting opportunity to bring more eligible people in <<state>> into the political process. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this issue further, please feel free to contact me or <<relevant staff member>> at <<contact information>>.
Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
<<chief election official signature, name, title, & state>>
