Election Day Registration
Our ultimate goal is voter registration modernization, with the government taking responsibility for ensuring that every eligible citizen is registered to vote in the correct jurisdiction, rather than placing the responsibility on individuals.
A key step toward registering all eligible citizens is Election Day registration, where eligible citizens have the opportunity to register and vote on Election Day. In 43 states, citizens must register well in advance of Election Day, before media coverage really heats up and before candidates seek to educate or engage most citizens in the election. These early deadlines act to exclude eligible citizens who would otherwise be eager to vote. Election Day registration boots turnout by approximately 5–7 points in those states that allow eligible citizens to register on Election Day—with a decreased dependence on provisional ballots and without any reported increase in voter fraud.
The Brennan Center provides research, public education, advocacy, litigation, and legislative counseling for government officials and advocates promoting Election Day Registration. Our efforts have contributed to efforts to establish Election Day registration in at least five different states.
In September 2004, the Brennan Center filed the first lawsuit in the county to seek Election Day registration as a cure for the disenfranchisement of eligible voters. In response to the litigation, Connecticut dropped its registration deadline to seven days before an election, which is now the latest deadline in the nation short of full Election Day registration (2005).
Know The Truth About Voting in Maine
The Brennan Center urges voters in Maine to inform themselves about their voting rights.
Voter-registration reforms could diminish Ohio’s election disputes
As long as Ohio remains a politically important and closely divided state, there will continue to be hotly-contested election-related disputes. But changes to election law in Ohio can minimize these controversies: by creating clearer and fairer laws that improve election administration, decrease burdens and costs on county election offices and put the voters first. Read more…
Study: New Voting Restrictions May Affect More than Five Million
New voting laws could make it significantly harder for more than five million eligible voters to cast ballots in 2012, according to the first comprehensive study of the laws’ impact.
Brennan Center Lauds Federal Election Day Registration Bill
The Election Day Registration bill introduced by Senators Feingold and Klobuchar, and Representative Ellison would allow citizens to register to vote for all federal elections by registering on Election Day at polling places.
Statement for Congressional Forum: “Excluded from Democracy”
The Brennan Center's Lawrence Norden speaks on new state voting law changes and the potential negative effects for voters at a Capitol Hill forum called by members of congress.
Advocacy: Letters to Election Officials
The Brennan Center submitted letters to state election officials in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin, urging them to issue directives and instructions against illegal or improper conduct in anticipation of the 2010 election.
Voting Rights in 2011: A Legislative Round-Up
As the 2012 election approaches, a massive crackdown on voting rights is unfolding – the most significant such assault in decades. Millions of Americans risk disenfranchisement, blocked from casting ballots or having them count.
Presentations on Voting Rights
Each year, the Brennan Center hosts briefings and delivers presentations on annual trends in voting rights. On this page you can access and download each presentation we have delivered.
Know Your Voting Rights Issues
Learn about all the issues facing a voter as he or she moves from the registration process to the election.