Election 2008
Voter Suppression | Possible Election Trouble
The Brennan Center's continuously updated report provides a road map to potential problem spots, and a chance to do something about them.
For more information, click here.
Glossary of Current Voting Rights Issues
Searching for a clear definition of "voter caging"? Perhaps you would like examples of election day problems? Find the important issues facing the voting rights and elections community here, conveniently grouped in one place with clear definitions.
In this section we will also be providing links to relevant Brennan Center for Justice materials—publications, studies, or one sheets—based on current voting rights issues.
Legal Guide to Student Voting
Tailored for college students, the Legal Guide to Student Voting is an easy-to-use clickable map designed to arm students with the correct information necessary to cut through confusing and misleading registration and voting laws. The Guide also dispels common myths about the registration process that can discourage student voters—particularly those living away from home—from participating, as recently chronicled in the NY Times.
To access, click here.
Ballot Design
The notorious butterfly ballot that Palm Beach County, Florida election officials used in the 2000 election is probably the most infamous of all election design snafus. It was one of many political, legal, and election administration missteps that plunged a presidential election into turmoil and set off a series of events that led to, among other things, a vast overhaul of the country’s election administration, including the greatest change in voting technology in United States history.
Yet, ironically, eight years after the 2000 election, and billions of dollars spent on new voting technology, the problems caused by poor ballot design have not been fully and effectively addressed on a national level. Bad ballots don't just happen—they're designed.
Read more about our findings and recommendations here.
Veteran Voting
Working with a range of different veterans and voting rights groups, the Brennan Center has taken a leading role in advocating legislation aimed at eliminating barriers to registration and voting for American veterans, and ensuring that those who have fought to protect the right to vote are able to exercise it.
To learn more about these efforts, click here.
Voter Assistance | General Resources
The Brennan Center for Justice assembled the following page to assist those searching for information regarding registeration, voting, deadlines, poll locations, etc. When links are provided, we believe the those sources have put together reputable sites.
To access, click here.
Voter Assistance | Election Day Problems
Unfortunately, things can go wrong on Election Day at the polling place. Some of the more common problems voter face include: not being on the pollbook, broken or dysfunctional machines, long lines and accessibility for persons with disabilities, and limited English proficiency. The Brennan Center offers some solutions for voters who encounter any of these snafus.
Click here to read more.
Voter Checklist Pamphlet
The Brennan Center for Justice, along with the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights, created this voter checklist pamphlet, ideal for handing out during registration drives. Simply download the file, print, cut, and distribute
To view the checklist or to download low and hi-res PDFs of this handout, click here.
Voting After a Criminal Conviction
Voting is both a fundamental right and a civic duty. However there remains one significant blanket barrier to the franchise: 5.3 million American citizens are not allowed to vote because of a criminal conviction. Having one's right to vote reinstated after a criminal conviction varies from state to state depending on the law. For a state-by-state guide to felony disenfranchisement laws around the country, download our map.
Click here for more detailed information about some state laws, as well as information about the Brennan Center's state-based advocacy to restore the right to vote for people with criminal convictions. Click here for more on the Brennan Center's work on restoring the right to vote.
State-Based Voting Advocacy
In addition to its litigation and public education work, the Voting Rights and Elections team has undertaken a range of advocacy projects in response to specific concerns arising in individual states.
Click here to learn more.
Fair Courts and State Judicial Elections
Leading up to the November 2008 election, the Brennan Center is releasing real-time reports on television advertising in state Supreme Court elections. The 2008 reports continue the groundbreaking analysis first conducted in 2000 examining the sponsorship, content and costs of televised state Supreme Court campaign ads.
Click here to learn more and to stream advertisements from around the country.
