Mailing Assistance Grants Now Available for New ERIC Participants

The Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) is a sophisticated interstate data exchange that harnesses cutting-edge technology to promote more comprehensive and accurate voter rolls. ERIC alerts elections officials about voters whose information might be out-of-date or who may be eligible but unregistered to vote. The Pew Charitable Trusts is inviting applications for grants to states considering joining ERIC to help defray the expenses of their initial outreach, which include bulk mail service, provider charges, and postage.

In accordance with ERIC’s bylaws, member states must contact citizens identified as eligible but not registered to vote and educate them on the most efficient means to register. Such outreach has substantial benefits for the efficiency and integrity of the voter registration process but can incur significant costs. The Pew grants help to mitigate those for new ERIC states. In 2014, four states—Connecticut, Louisiana, Minnesota, and Oregon—received grants to conduct their initial mailings.

States interested in applying for mailing grants can do so here. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. EDT on May 31, 2015. Instructions for submitting an application and information on the timeline and selection process are included on the application form.

For more information, please contact Julia Brothers at [email protected].