Progress on the Voting Front
Contradicting the tendency toward growing restrictions in voting across the United States, the Brennan Center for Justice cites an overall positive trend toward greater voter access. This is welcome optimism when it seems like so many state legislatures are turning back the clock with regard to voting access and requirements.
Ohio and Wisconsin are among the more talked-about states that recently changed their voting laws. In February, Ohio Governor John Kasich signed into law two less-than-voter-friendly bills in the Buckeye State. One bill eliminated the five-day period at the beginning of early voting when people can both register to vote and cast an in-person absentee ballot. Governor Kasich also added his signature to a bill that prohibits individual county boards of elections from mailing out unsolicited absentee ballot applications.
This past week, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker signed into law a provision to prohibit early voting on weekends. It was some relief, however, that Governor Walker used his partial veto powers to reject language that would restrict early voting hours to 45 hours per week.
With laws like these being signed, one must wonder what influenced the Brennan Center’s positive outlook. We point to their recent news flashes where Brennan points out that several states have made it easier for citizens to request ballots and cast votes.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, “As of February 2014, a total of 15 states offer online registration, and another four states have passed legislation to create online voter registration systems, but have not yet implemented them. Additionally, six states presently offer limited online voter registration.”
The bipartisan Presidential Commission on Election Administration’s recent report and recommendations account for some of the optimism. It remains to be seen, however, which recommendations will be implemented in time for the midterm elections this November.
The voting and elections community is watching Congress with cautious optimism. In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s controversial striking down of a key provision of the Voting Rights Act, there is a bipartisan effort in Congress to introduce a legislative repair tailored for the twenty-first century. Representatives Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and John Conyers Jr. (D-MI), and Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick J. Leahy (D-VT), authored the bill, which would restore federal “preclearance” of voting laws in states with a history of racial discrimination.
The movement to protect voting access continues, and we count on fine organizations, like the Brennan Center, to work toward fairness, equity, and equality in voting rights. It is encouraging to see some progress, while much still remains to be accomplished. This year’s primary season leading up to the midterm elections will shed great light on the state of voting rights and whether the Brennan Center’s positive assessment is warranted.
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