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Removing Barriers: Public Benefits and Voter Registration

Removing Barriers: Public Benefits and Voter Registration
2020
Code for America
Author(s): 
Caitlin Docker, Rachel Edelman
Removing Barriers: Public Benefits and Voter Registration
Source Sector(s)
Non-profit
Benefits Program
SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Level of Government
State/Provincial
Location
California
Format
Non-Academic Article

The GetCalFresh team, the California Department of Social Services, and the California Secretary of State’s office worked together to create a simplified, accessible voter registration experience with clients. When people come to GetCalFresh.org, they are looking to apply for food assistance, so the state of California did not want voter registration to become an obstacle to the goal of getting food assistance. Thus, rather than directing clients to anther website, they offered to text clients a link to the CA Secretary of State’s voter website with directions on how to register.