Updated: Looking Ahead to 2014 Elections, Voting Laws Roundup 2013

We’ve updated our April, 2013 article on Looking Ahead to 2014 Elections: Voting Laws Roundup 2013 with the Brennan Center for Justice at the NYU School of Law August 15th summary of these state legislature actions:

In 2013, some state legislators continue to push laws that would make it harder for eligible American citizens to vote. But there’s good news, too. More and more states are pressing measures to improve elections.

“Country Gentleman” magazine cover, November 1922. The 19th Amendment giving all women the right to vote wasn’t ratified until August 1920. Painted by J. F. Kernan, Wikimedia Commons

Below you will find a regularly-updated, comprehensive roundup of introduced, pending, active, and passed voting laws. (See a detailed summary of restrictive legislation, introduced as of April 29th).

Numbers Overview

Since the beginning of 2013, and as of August 6, 2013, restrictive voting bills have been introduced in more than half the states:

• At least 82 restrictive bills were introduced in 31 states.
• Of those, 7 restrictive bills are still pending in 4 states.
• Of those, one restrictive bill is currently active in Wisconsin, in that there has been legislative activity beyond introduction and referral to committee (such as hearings, committee activity, or votes).
• Eight states have already passed nine restrictive bills this session.

At the same time, across the country, politicians from both sides of the aisle have introduced and supported bills that expand access to registration and voting.  

• At least 219 expansive bills that would expand access to voting were introduced in 45 states.
• Of those, 65 expansive bills are still pending in 8 states.
• Of those, 18 expansive bills are currently active in 6 states[1], in that there has been legislative activity beyond introduction and referral to committee (such as hearings, committee activity, or votes).
• Ten states have passed thirteen bills that expand opportunities for eligible citizens to register and to vote.

Voting Restrictions

Note: In the cases where more than one piece of restrictive legislation has been introduced in a state, the map reflects the state’s passed, active, or pending status based on its most active piece of legislation.

Restrictions Passed in 2013 

Arkansas:

• Photo ID required to vote (legislature overrode gubernatorial veto)

Indiana

• Authorizes challengers to demand proof of identification

Montana

• Referendum to repeal Election Day Registration, placed on the ballot for 2014

Nebraska

• Reduces the early voting period

North Carolina

• Photo ID required to vote, eliminates same-day registration, eliminates pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-old citizens, reduces the early voting period.