Why Voting Rights Groups Are Upset About Obamacare's Federal Exchanges

Why Voting Rights Groups Are Upset About Obamacare's Federal Exchanges:



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The groups' concerns are colliding with another priority of Obama's presidency: his sweeping health care law. Voting rights activists say that in rolling out Obamacare -- specifically its federally operated health care exchanges -- the administration hasn't done enough to comply with the 1993 National Voter Registration Act. They are threatening to sue the administration over the alleged violations, according to a letter sent by Demos, ProjectVote and League of Women Voters of the U.S. to the White House Wednesday.

The federal law, also known as the "Motor Voter" Law, spells out the ways government services and assistance programs must provide participants the opportunity to register to vote. Because it offers enrollment in Medicaid and other public assistance, the federal exchange is one such program.