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.
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.
The Show Me State – today lawmakers in Missouri are expected to vote on a constitutional amendment that would require voters to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote....
Those who urge harsh voter ID laws can’t be too happy about the story of the Indiana nuns turned away from the polls. So now they have started to respond. Their answer: attack the nuns!
Crawford—More Rhetorical Bark than Legal Bite?
On April 28, the Supreme Court handed down a decision in the Crawford cases, rejecting a challenge to Indiana’s law requiring voters at the polls to provide certain types of government-issued photo identification. I had predicted that the opinion would likely have impact far beyond Indiana....
Illustrations by Risko
Election Protection Off to a Great Start Assisting
Nearly 400 Hotline Calls So Far Reporting Primary Election Barriers.
Brennan Center Criticizes Supreme Court Decision to Uphold Indiana Voter ID Law
Brennan Center for Justice criticized Court’s decision to uphold Indiana’s voter identification law—the strictest in the country—but noted that the decision did not give other states a blank check to block eligible voters
Election Protection Receives Over 2,600 Calls on Super Tuesday
Representing a coalition of national, state and local non-partisan not for profit organizations committed to protecting eligible voters’ right to cast a ballot, the hotline had over 500 legal volunteers on hand.
Wendy R. Weiser Before Senate Special Subcommittee on Aging
Testimony focuses principally on voter identification requirements and their impact on older Americans. As set forth here, voter ID requirements—especially the restrictive photo ID requirements that have been proposed and introduced over the past few years—substantially and disproportionately burden the voting rights of seniors.
Testimony of Deborah Goldberg Before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Elections
Democracy Program Director Deborah Goldberg testifies before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Elections on voter registration and voter list maintenance.
Proof of Citizenship Requirements; Chart of State Legislation
In the most recent session (2007–2008), legislators in 19 different states have proposed proof of citizenship requirements for voter registration. The chart here, last updated on 5/12/2008, sets forth the known bills and their current status.
Florida: a Tough Place to Cast a Ballot
Florida is courting electoral trouble. Heading toward another presidential election, state officials are making it increasingly difficult for citizens to vote, according to Miami Herald editorial.
Supreme Court Preview: The Most Important Elections Case Since Bush v. Gore
On January 9, the Supreme Court will hear argument in two consolidated cases testing the constitutional limits on a state’s ability to set procedural rules that restrict the franchise. The cases, collectively known as Crawford, challenge an Indiana law requiring voters at the polls to provide certain documentation