Several times a year, the Brennan Center publishes roundups of state voting legislation around the country. Since the 2020 election, this legislation has taken on new importance in state legislatures, with lawmakers aggressively attempting to limit voting access and roll back gains in turnout.
Thus far in 2024, at least 6 states have enacted 7 restrictive laws. Overall, at least 291 restrictive bills have been considered in 40 states. Restrictive legislation makes it harder for eligible Americans to cast their ballots.
Since 2022, the Brennan Center has been tracking another category of legislation that subverts democracy: election interference legislation. These measures allow for partisan interference in elections or threaten the people and processes that make elections work. They stand to not only harm existing election administration, but they also undermine voters’ faith in the security of elections. So far this year, at least 1 state, South Dakota, has enacted an election interference law. Overall, at least 56 election interference bills have been considered in 21 states.
On the other hand, pro-voter legislators are seeking to expand access to the vote. Expansive laws have outpaced the number of restrictive laws passed. In 2024, at least 11 states have enacted 14 expansive laws. Overall, at least 631 expansive voting bills have been considered in 44 states.
