On Wednesday, Virginia became one of the last states to comply with the National Voter Registration Act, which facilitates voter registration by enlisting motor vehicle offices and posting mail-in voter applications at numerous public places. Gov. George Allen had failed in his attempt to show that Congress was unconstitutionally dictating election laws to the states and opening up the process to potential fraud.
Ten state Democratic leaders praised the beginning of motor-voter registration in Virginia. However, the program opened with little fanfare as some of the motor vehicle offices did not make the option of registering known to customers or even make forms visible. Others presented the option to each customer.