Reports

Report | COPIRG | Democracy

Vanishing Voters: Why Registered Voters Drop Off the Rolls

In 1993, Congress passed the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Its primary purpose was to open up the voter registration process and enhance democratic participation. Fifteen years after enactment of the NVRA, however, many states continue to appear unaware of the federal rules regarding voter roll purges. A survey of state laws and election officials shows that, on the eve of the 2008 general election, voters across the country do not appear to enjoy the important voter protection provisions afforded by the NVRA.

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Report | COPIRG | Democracy

Saving Dollars, Saving Democracy - Cost Savings for Local Elections Officials Through Voter Registration Modernization

Millions are being wasted due to antiquated voter registration systems and procedures. U.S. PIRG Education Fund’s survey of 100 counties showed that over $33,467,910.00 of public money was spent on simple registration implementation and error-correction issues in 2008. The Fund finds that a more streamlined and automatic system linking existing databases with the state voter rolls could free up significant resources at the local level.

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Report | COPIRG | Democracy

Toward Common Ground:Bridging the Political Divide to Reduce Spending

Our nation faces unprecedented fiscal challenges, as the commitments we’ve made now and into the future far outpace our fiscal capacity. Congress, the President’s National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, and citizens across the country must grapple with very difficult decisions about how we can put our fiscal house in order.

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Report | COPIRG | Higher Ed

Cutting Interest Rates, Lowering Student Debt - - Updated

About 5.5 million undergraduate borrowers took out subsidized Stafford loans in 2005-2006. Most of these borrowers came from predominately low- and middle-income families. As an effort to making college more affordable, cutting interest rates on subsidized Stafford student loans will result in significant savings.

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Report | COPIRG | Higher Ed

Obama’s Budget: Supporting Students, not Banks

A report by the USPIRG Higher Education Project estimates the impact of transferring $5 billion in student lender bank subsidies to Pell Grant recipients in each state.