The Independent View: Voter Laws to Increase Turnout

We hear about laws to suppress voter turnout, but now lets look at laws to increase turnout.

An encouraging number of states have taken steps to provide voters more access to the ballot box. At least 237 bills were introduced in 46 states to increase access.

A new influx of bills to enhance voter access drew support on both sides of the aisle.

Voting Laws Passed in 2013 to Expand Voter Participation

Colorado
•Broad-based modernization of voter registration process, including, among other elements, Election Day registration and portable registration.
•Preregistration of eligible 16 and 17 year-old citizens.

Delaware
•Constitutional amendment expanding opportunities for people with criminal convictions to regain their right to vote.

Florida
•Expansion of early voting opportunities.

Illinois
•Online voter registration.

Maryland
•Expansion of early voting, same-day registration during early voting, study methods to reduce long lines at the polls.

New Hampshire
•Existing photo ID law made less restrictive. Although the New Hampshire bill is not expansive with respect to current law, it eases certain requirements that had not yet been implemented, but would have gone into effect September 2013 under a restrictive photo voter ID law passed by the legislature in 2011.

New Mexico
•Automation of voter registration at the DMV office.

Oklahoma
•Existing photo ID law made less restrictive.

Virginia
•Online voter registration.

West Virginia
•Online voter registration.

Summary of Introduced and Pending Legislation to Expand Access to Voting

•Identification Laws: At least 11 states introduced bills that would relax existing voter ID or proof of citizenship laws (Alabama, Indiana, Kansas, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin).

•Modernizing Voter Registration: At least 26 states introduced bills that would modernize the voter registration system, in whole or in part, and make it easier for eligible citizens to register (Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, 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 December 18, 2013, bills remain active in Massachusetts).

◦Broad-based modernization: At least four states introduced wide-ranging legislation to modernize the voter registration process using a combination of technology and fail-safe protections (Colorado, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York). As of December 18, 2013, a bill remains active in Massachusetts).

◦Automation: At least six states introduced legislation that would introduce or expand automation of the voter registration process at government agencies (Florida, Hawaii, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, West Virginia).

◦Online registration: At least 13 states introduced bills that would establish or enhance the use of online registration systems (Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia. As of December 18, 2013, bills are still active in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania).

◦Same day registration: At least 19 states introduced bills that would allow voters to register on the same day they vote (Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia. As of December 18, 2013, a bill remains active in Massachusetts).

◦Portability: At least four states introduced bills that would allow a voter’s registration to move with them when they moves to a new address in the state (Florida, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon. As of December 18, 2013, a bill remains active in Massachusetts).

•More early voting opportunities: At least states introduced bills that would newly introduce, or expand, opportunities for early in person voting (Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia. As of December 18, 2013, bills remain active in Massachusetts, New York, and South Carolina.

•Restoring voting rights: At least 14 states introduced bills that would expand opportunities for those with criminal convictions to regain their right to vote. In Virginia, Governor Robert McDonnell issued an executive order automatically restoring the right to vote upon completion of sentence for those with past non-violent criminal convictions (California, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Tennessee, Virginia, Wyoming).

•Pre-registering students to vote: At least 13 states introduced bills that would allow students under the age of 18 to pre-register, so that upon turning 18 they are registered to vote (California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington. As of December 18, 2013, bills remain active in Massachusetts and New York).

•Reducing long lines: At least four states introduced bills that aim to reduce waiting times by requiring, or assessing, the implementation of minimum standards for efficient polling place administration(Arizona, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia).

Looking to 2014

States are already beginning to file bills in preparation for the 2014 legislative session.

At least four states have introduced voting laws:

Florida
Two bills have been introduced that would make it easier for eligible citizens to register to vote.

Kentucky
Three bills have been pre-filed that would restore voting rights to persons with past criminal convictions.

Missouri
Three bills have been pre-filed that would require voters to show photo ID at the polls.

Virginia
A bill that would restore voting rights was also pre-filed in Virginia.