Brennan Center Urges Presidential Voting Commission to Modernize Elections

The Presidential Commission on Election Administration will hold a public meeting today on how to improve voting in America. Brennan Center Counsel Jonathan Brater will testify before the Commission, outlining four key reforms to improve elections and reduce long lines.

After problems at the polls last November and a new wave of restrictive voting measures after the Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby County v. Holder, we have reached a crucial moment for voting rights laws across the country. In his testimony, Brater will argue we need four reforms to overhaul the nation’s election system and ensure all eligible voters have an opportunity to cast a vote that counts:

• Modernize voter registration. Using electronic systems, including online registration, would modernize, simplify, and enhance the security of registration and voter rolls.
• Expand early voting. With several states getting rid of early voting, the Brennan Center recommends making the polls more accessible to eligible voters — not less.
• Improve polling place resource management. To prevent hours-long waits and ensure each site is well-equipped to serve voters, voting sites should have a minimum standard for the number of machines and workers needed.
• Simplify ballots and voting machines. Complicated ballots and broken machines have caused serious problems at the polls. Voters should have access to simple ballots with clear instructions and machines that work. 

See all the Brennan Center’s resources on Voter Registration Modernization. To set up an interview with one of our experts, please contact Erik Opsal at erik.opsal@nyu.edu or 646–292–8356.