Challenges

Unfair challenges or caging practices may lead to the removal of eligible voters from the voter rolls. To guard against these problems, The Brennan Center provides legal assistance to government officials and advocates seeking to ensure that challenges are non-discriminatory and do not result in the disenfranchisement of eligible voters.

State laws that allow private individuals, that is, individuals acting in their own capacity, to question or dispute another voter's eligibility to cast a regular ballot give rise to voter "challenges." Voter challenge laws vary from state to state, as do, legally permissible challenge practices. When challenges are used improperly, they can have the effect of intimidating voters or suppress voter participation.    

Analysis

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James Sample

Former State House Member Currently Preparing to Return to Iraq Purged from MT Voter Lists
James Sample – 10/03/08

Former Rep. Kevin Furey, a First Lt. in the Army Reserves, is presently in New Jersey preparing to return to Iraq, and he may not get to vote….

Montana Registration Challenges are Error-Prone and Inconsistent with State & Federal Law
– 10/06/08

In a three-page letter submitted to Secretary of State Brad Johnson, the Brennan Center explains that the large scale challenges, filed by the Montana Republican Party just a month before the 2008 general election, could deprive thousands of eligible Montana residents from voting and having their ballot counted in November.

Letter to Montana SOS Regarding Large-Scale Challenges in Six Counties
James Sample and Myrna Pérez – 10/05/08

Letter urges the Secretary of State to reject challenges to 6,000 registered voters.

Know Your Voting Rights Issues
– 08/19/08

Learn about all the issues facing the voting rights and elections community