The regulations in this part implement the responsibilities delegated to the Commission under Section 9 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, Public Law 103-31, 97 Stat. 77, 42 U.S.C. 1973gg-1 et seq. (“NVRA”). They describe the format and contents of the national mail voter registration form and the information that will be required from the states for inclusion in the Commission's biennial report to Congress.

As used in this part:

(a) Form means the national mail voter registration application form, which includes the registration application, accompanying general instructions for completing the application, and state-specific instructions.

(b) Chief state election official means the designated state officer or employee responsible for the coordination of state responsibilities under 42 U.S.C. 1973gg-8.

(c) Active voters means all registered voters except those who have been sent but have not responded to a confirmation mailing sent in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 1973gg-6(d) and have not since offered to vote.

(d) Inactive voters means registrants who have been sent but have not responded to a confirmation mailing sent in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 1973gg-6(d) and have not since offered to vote.

(e) Duplicate registration application means an offer to register by a person already registered to vote at the same address, under the same name, and (where applicable) in the same political party.

(f) State means a state of the United States and the District of Columbia not exempt from coverage under 42 U.S.C. 1973gg-2(b).

(g) Closed primary state means a state that requires party registration as a precondition to vote for partisan races in primary elections or for other nominating procedures.