Voter Registration Drives
Although many barriers to voting—like property requirements, literacy tests, and poll taxes—are no longer constitutional, for many eligible citizens, voter registration continues to be a significant obstacle. More than a quarter of voting-age Americans are not registered and thus cannot vote. Voter registration drives conducted by nonpartisan, nonprofit organizations have dramatically increased voter registration rates among groups that have traditionally faced the greatest barriers to voting, including low-income, minority, and young voters. Unfortunately, instead of supporting such efforts, in the past few years a number of states have passed, and others are considering, laws and regulations shutting down or seriously restricting voter registration drives.
The Brennan Center engages in litigation, legislative drafting, and advocacy to remove unnecessary barriers to voter registration drives and to ensure that any regulation of those drives serves voters and protects First Amendment rights. In 2006, the Brennan Center successfully challenged restrictive laws in Florida and Ohio. We also helped to defeat efforts to restrict drives in other states.
State of Ohio ex rel. Myles v. Brunner
Brennan Center filed an amicus brief in a case challenging Ohio’s rejection of absentee ballot request forms created by the McCain campaign.
Case challenging New Mexico’s restrictions on voter registration drives.
League of Women Voters of Florida v. Browning
Case challenging restrictions on third-party voter registration drives.
Honoring Justice Brennan’s Legacy
Yesterday, at a ceremony presided over by Chief Justice John Roberts, the U.S. Postal Service issued a series of new stamps honoring the most influential Supreme Court Justices, among them Justice William J. Brennan, Jr. The stamp commemorating Justice Brennan is a welcome and well-deserved tribute; it’s impossible to name any judges who cared about our democracy more than Justice Brennan did.
Can We Register Voters Better? Yes.
Low voter turnout isn’t a result of apathy, but of poor voter registration systems. With a few simple changes—automatic registration, permanent registration through electronic updates, and an Election Day list correction procedure—50 to 65 million eligible voters would be added to the registration rolls. Congress must make this a priority.
A New Texas Two-Step: One Forward, Two Back
Consensus among Texan legislators on election issues is becoming vanishingly rare. The defeat of H.B. 1457—a bill designed to correct administrative flaws in the voting system—is the latest example.
Illustrations by Risko
Brennan Center Applauds Ohio’s Bipartisan Election Reform WorkGroup
New York - Earlier this week, Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner issued a final report to the House of Representatives regarding HB 260, introduced in August by Representatives Dan Stewart and Tracy Maxwell Heard.
New Ohio Election Bill Draws on Bipartisan Summit and Conference for Reforms to Ohio Election Law
Secretary Jennifer Brunner, Representatives Dan Stewart and Tracy Maxwell Heard introduced the Ohio Election Enhancements Bill. Drawn from the historic 2008 and 2009 election summits called by Secretary Brunner and chaired by the Brennan Center’s Lawrence Norden, the bill offers many reforms for Ohio’s Election System.
Problems that disadvantage military voters can be fixed by modernizing voter registration, new studies find.
Testimony of Lawrence Norden Regarding Ohio H.B. 260, the “Elections Enhancements Bill”
This testimony in support of Ohio’s Elections Enhancements Bill outlines the Framework for Reform developed by Mr. Norden in his capacity as chair of the Ohio Elections Summit.
Testimony of Renée Paradis Before the New York State Elections Committee
Testimony on Senate Bill 4317, which would change the deadline for enrolling in a political party before a primary election, before the New York Senate Elections Committee.
Adam Skaggs before the Illinois House of Representaton
Testimony on legislative trends in election administration delivered before the House Elections Committee.
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.
CNN Voter Purges | Wendy Weiser
Wendy Weiser appears on segement in which CNN’s Abbie Boudreau looks into allegations of voter purges.