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.
League of Women Voters v. Rokita
The League of Women Voters of Indiana and the League of Women Voters of Indianapolis challenged Indiana’s Voter ID Law under provisions of the Indiana State Constitution. The Indiana law is the most restrictive ID law in America, and will exclude many eligible voters from participating in our democratic process. On November 9, 2009, various parties filed amicus briefs in support of Plaintiffs. On June 30, 2010, the Supreme Court of the State of Indiana affirmed the decision of the trial court and granted the defendant’s motion to dismiss.
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.
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…
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….
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.
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 12/2/2009, sets forth the known bills and their current status.
Voter Suppression Incidents 2008
A list of voter suppression incidents from the 2008 election.
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.