Oklahoma:
- Existing photo ID law made less restrictive (signed into law)
Virginia:
- Online voter registration (signed into law)
Summary of Pending Legislation to Expand Access to Voting
A new influx of bills to enhance voter access is drawing support on both sides of the aisle. Efforts to modernize voter registration are particularly active. The GOP introduced an online registration bill in Pennsylvania and passed it into law in Virginia. And the recently passed automation bill in New Mexico was cosponsored by a Republican and a Democrat. Additionally, bills to modernize voter registration are active in Colorado, Nevada, and New York.
- Identification Laws. At least 10 states[9] have introduced bills that would relax existing voter ID or proof of citizenship laws.
- Modernizing Voter Registration. At least 24 states[10] have introduced bills that would modernize the voter registration system, in whole or in part, and make it easier for eligible citizens to register.
- Broad-based modernization. At least three states [11] have introduced wide-ranging legislation to modernize the voter registration process using a combination of technology and fail-safe protections. Both houses of Congress introduced comprehensive bills to modernize voter registration.
- Automation. At least five states [12] have introduced legislation that would introduce or expand automation of the voter registration process at government agencies. New Mexico’s bill to automate registration at the DMV already passed and was signed by the governor.
- Online registration. At least 13 states [13] have introduced bills that would establish or enhance the use of online registration systems. Virginia’s bill allowing eligible citizens to register to vote online has already passed and was signed by the governor.
- Same day registration. At least 17 states [14] have introduced bills that would allow voters to register on the same day they vote. Same day registration (SDR) bills can vary in that some allow same day registration on Election Day only (EDR), some allow it during an early voting period only, and some may allow both options. Maryland’s early voting SDR bill has passed and is awaiting the governor’s signature.
- Portability. At least four states [15] have introduced bills that would allow a voter’s registration to move with her when she moves to a new address in the state.
- More early voting opportunities. At least 19 states[16] have introduced bills that would newly introduce, or expand, opportunities for early in person voting. In New Jersey and Maryland these bills have passed and are sitting on the governors’ desks.
- Restoring voting rights. At least 14 states [17] have introduced bills that would expand opportunities for those with criminal convictions to regain their right to vote. Delaware’s bill has passed and is awaiting the governor’s signature.
- Pre-registering students to vote. At least 10 states [18] have introduced bills that would allow students under the age of 18 to pre-register, so that upon turning 18 they are registered to vote.
- Reducing long lines. At least four states [19] have introduced bills that aim to reduce waiting times by requiring, or assessing, the implementation of minimum standards for efficient polling place administration.
[1] Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Tennessee, Wisconsin.
[2] California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, West Virginia.
[3] Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming. As of April 17, 2013, voter identification bills remain active in Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, and Tennessee.
[4] Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. As of April 17, 2013, the only proof of citizenship bill that is active is in Massachusetts.
[5] Alabama, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. As of April 17, 2013, bills making voter registration harder remain active in Alabama, Montana, and Nebraska.
[6] Arizona, Indiana, Nebraska, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin. As of April 17, 2013, bills reducing early voting opportunities remain active in Nebraska, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
[7] North Carolina and Maine. As of April 17, 2013, only North Carolina still has an active bill to make it harder to restore voting rights.
[8] North Carolina and Ohio. As of April 17, 2013, only Ohio has an active bill that will make it harder for students to register to vote.
[9] Alabama, Indiana, Kansas, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas. As of April 17, 2013, only New Hampshire has an active bill to relax existing identification laws.
[10] Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia. As of April 17, 2013, bills to modernize voter registration remain active in Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia.
[13] Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia.
[14] Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia.
[16] Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia. As of April 17, 2013, bills to expand early voting opportunities remain active in Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New Jersey.
[17] California, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Tennessee, Virginia, Wyoming. As of April 17, 2013, bills to expand opportunities to restore voting rights remain active in Delaware and Minnesota.
[18] California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, New York, Oregon, Washington. As of April 17, 2013, bills that would allow students to pre-register to vote remain active in California, Colorado, Nebraska, Oregon, and Washington.
[19] Arizona, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia. As of April 17, 2013, bills to reduce delays for voters remain active in Connecticut and Maryland.
Reprinted with permission of the Brennan Center for Justice
Editor's Note: The US Government Accoountability Office (GAO) released information about Challenges to Voting Accessibility, by Barbara Bovbjerg, managing director, education, workforce, and income security, before the National Council on Disability. http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-538SP
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