Voter ID
Burdensome photo ID or proof of citizenship requirements for voting could block millions of eligible American voters without addressing any real problem. Although most Americans have government-issued photo ID, studies show that as many as 12% of eligible voters nationwide do not; the percentage is even higher for seniors, people of color, people with disabilities, low-income voters, and students. Many of those citizens find it hard to get such IDs, because the underlying documentation (the ID one needs to get ID) is often difficult to come by. Those difficulties will increase substantially if documentary proof of citizenship is needed to vote or to obtain the identification required to vote.The Brennan Center engages in research on, and advocacy and litigation opposing, restrictive identification and proof of citizenship requirements that disenfranchise eligible Americans, and we work with federal and state officials to craft appropriate measures that improve the security of elections without compromising the right to vote. Most recently, the Brennan Center has been working to oppose Indiana's voter ID law, the most restrictive voter ID requirement in the country, in Crawford v. Marion County Election Board. A map of voter ID provisions around the country can be found here. The Center also maintains a chart following state legislation that would require proof of citizenship as a condition to register to vote.
Common Cause/Georgia v. Billups
Case challenging the constitutionality of a Georgia law requiring voters to present photo ID as a condition of voting.
Crawford v. Marion County Election Board
Determining which American citizens are able to exercise their right to vote and which Americans are not, the Indiana voter ID case is the most important voting rights case since Bush v. Gore.
FOIA Request to EAC Re: Commissioned Reports
In 2006 and 2007, the Brennan Center filed a FOIA request with the U.S. Election Assistance Commission to obtain documents pertaining to commissioned reports on voter fraud and voter intimidation and on voter ID.
Yesterday, Ohio Sec. of State Jennifer Brunner released to Gov. Ted Strickland and the Ohio General Assembly a “blueprint for enhancing Ohio’s elections”....
As more states move to require voters to show photo ID before they can cast a ballot, some have proposed to restrict access to the polls even further....
Countless pundits have suggested that the last two months have derailed President Obama’s plans to lead the country into a post-partisan era....
Illustrations by Risko
Brennan Center Releases Report on Brunner’s Historic Election Summit
Bipartisan group reaches consensus on framework for reform for Ohio Elections.
Universal voter registration, contingency plans needed to ensure every eligible vote can cast a vote that counts.
New Voter Guide Explains Rights of Student Voters
With thousands of young and new voters expected to participate in the 2008 election, the Center launches an online legal guide to student voting to arm student with the information they need to navigate voting and registration.
Adam Skaggs before the Illinois House of Representaton
Testimony on legislative trends in election administration delivered before the House Elections Committee.
Justin Levitt before Texas House of Representatives
Testimony is before Election Committee hearing on voter fraud and restrictive ID requirements.
Adam Skaggs on Myth of Voter Impersonation Fraud at the Polls
Presented before the Committee of the Whole of the Texas Senate. The hearing focused on S.B.362, a voter ID bill.
Voter Suppression Incidents 2008
A list of voter suppression incidents from the 2008 election.
Proof of Citizenship Requirements; Chart of State Legislation
In the current session (2009–2010), legislators across the country have begun to propose proof of citizenship requirements for voter registration. The chart here, last updated on 6/29/2009, sets forth the known bills and their current status.
In advance of the 2008 general election, Executive Director Michael Waldman puts together the various processes by which voters are still being blocked from the polls, and what we can do about it.