Voting access in the US: A comprehensive guide to your state’s voter laws
In the recent election changes, most states have embarked on their own directions. Some are placing restrictions on voting access, while some are expanding it. Although each state has moved in different directions, it’s essential to know where your states stand in the next election.
After the pandemic crisis, some significant changes happened in the election administration. Various states have decided to go along partisan lines. For example, Arizona was one of the states who applied new restrictive voting laws. While Illinois being a Democratic state, has added voters’ ballot access.
To give you a clear headsup on the next election, the Voting Rights Lab map will show where your state is heading regarding voting access. The organization identified each state’s new policies. Whether the voting access was restricted or expanded, or if they’ve come up with a mixed outcome for voters.
Photo Credits: Votingrightslab.org via Twitter
In June, the lab reported, “What we are witnessing in real time across the country is a widening divide. Some states are working to strengthen and expand participation in our democracy just as many states work to curtail it.”
Overall, the Voting Rights Lab confirmed more states have leaned on voting law measures that expand access. Moreover, on Capitol Hill, Republicans have banned Democratic attempts to pass federal legislation. According to Voting Lab Rights, here is the list of states that have either expanded or retsrict voting access.
States that broadened access
Has access to the ballot box changed in your state this year? See what's new in our latest report: https://t.co/f4ecuSz475 pic.twitter.com/UMPWerCyaJ
— Voting Rights Lab (@votingrightslab) July 8, 2022
Colorado
Key Changes: The state will now allow some voters with disabilities to return their ballots digitally or electronically. Also, HB 1101 boosts language accessibility for votes.
Connecticut
Key Changes: With SB 1202, Connecticut has restored voting rights for people on parole and increased voter registration access. Lawmakers also have advanced constitutional amendments, which would have to be approved by voters, on in-person early voting and no-excuse absentee voting.
Delaware
Key Changes: Via SB 5, Delaware has established automatic voter registration at DMV facilities and other government agencies.
Hawaii
Key Changes: With SB 548, Hawaii has expanded voter registration opportunities and time for ballot dropoffs.
Illinois
Key Changes: Illinois’ SB 825 eases access to mail voting with a new permanent absentee voting list and provides greater access to voters with disabilities.
Indiana
Key Changes: While Indiana has new limits on drop boxes, measures such as SB 398 expand options for voter ID and early voting opportunities and create a process to “cure” signature errors on ballot envelopes.
Louisiana
Key changes: One law offers new instructions on voter purges. Louisiana’s HB 286 extends the early voting period for presidential elections. Another measure removes hurdles to registration for people with past felony convictions.
Luckily, voting rights restoration is a spark of hope when it comes to election policy. In 2021, 8 states restored voting rights or expanded voting access for people w/ past felony convictions. We can keep up the momentum in 2022. Learn more: https://t.co/1tDFQ66tui #FreeTheVote pic.twitter.com/M0cz2TyHIE
— Voting Rights Lab (@votingrightslab) February 18, 2022
Maine
Key changes: Maine has enacted laws to ease voter registration and mail voting, which codify the use of ballot drop boxes.
Maryland
Key changes: New measures in Maryland, including HB 1048 (SB 683), creating a permanent absentee voter list, authorizing and also regulating drop box use, and expanding early voting centers and hours.
Nevada
Key changes: AB 321 makes Nevada among the new states to establish a vote-by-mail system, in which all eligible voters receive a ballot in the mail. The law also expands drop boxes and eases voter registration, among its other provisions.
New Jersey
Key changes: New Jersey’s SB 3203 expands early voting.
New Mexico
Key changes: HB 231 prohibits the elimination or consolidation of a polling place on Native land.
New York
Key changes: One new law eases voter registration in New York. Lawmakers also advanced proposed constitutional amendments to eliminate the requirement that people have an excuse to vote by mail and stop the voter registration deadline ten days before Election Day.
Oregon
Key changes: Oregon’s new laws improve language accessibility for ballots and grant extra time for receiving mail ballots.
Vermont
Key Changes: Vermont’s SB 15 establishes a vote-by-mail system for general elections. It also expands the use of drop boxes, shows a way for voters to “cure” ballot errors, and permits outdoor polling places and drive-up voting at specific locations.
Virginia
Key changes: Virginia’s HB 1890 (SB 1395) creates the state’s own Voting Rights Act, prohibiting discrimination in election administration. The state also has new laws that offer early voting hours on Sundays and expand ballot drop box access.
Washington
Key changes: HB 1078 in Washington automatically restores voting eligibility to people convicted of felonies when they complete the incarceration part of their sentence.
States with restricted voting access
In 2021 we witnessed a widening divide around the country: Some states expanded participation in our democracy, while a significant number of states worked to curtail it.
For example, 27 states expanded or improved mail voting, while 13 restricted it. https://t.co/1tDFQ6o4SS pic.twitter.com/uTA4HF7SCf
— Voting Rights Lab (@votingrightslab) February 17, 2022
Arizona
Key changes: Arizona has passed several measures, most notably SB 1485, which changes the state’s famous Permanent Early Voting List into an “active” voter list, meaning thousands of voters could be removed from the list. GOP lawmakers have also expanded ballot signature requirements and stripped some election power from the Democratic secretary of state.
Arkansas
Key changes: Arkansas has enacted voting measures, including SB 643. Moreover, that curtails drop box usage, shortens the timeline for requesting and submitting mail ballots, and eliminates alternatives to presenting an ID.
Florida
Key changes: SB 90 is omnibus legislation that places new restrictions on ballot drop boxes. It also adds new ID requirements for mail voting and makes voters request mail-in ballots more regularly, among many other changes.
Georgia
Key changes: SB 202 is omnibus legislation that shortens the window for mail voting, adds new ID requirements for mail voting, and restricts ballot drop boxes, among many other changes. It also grants new powers to state legislators in local elections.
Iowa
Key changes: Wide-ranging SB 413 sets an earlier voter registration deadline, shortens the window to apply for a mail ballot, reduces the state’s early voting period and polling hours, and restricts drop boxes.
Kansas
Key changes: Kansas’ HB 2183, for which lawmakers overrode a governor’s veto. It also creates new crimes around voting and restricts third-party groups from mailing or returning ballots or ballot applications.
Montana
Key changes: Montana’s HB 176 ends Election Day voter registration. In addition, other laws include restrictions on third-party ballot returns and more challenging ID requirements on in-person and mail voting.
Texas
Key changes: Texas Republicans’ SB 1, which passed after historical efforts by Democrats to try to derail it, includes new ID requirements for people voting by mail and gives voters new opportunities to correct mistakes with their mail ballots. It also creates criminal penalties for people who assist voters at the polls, bans drive-thru voting and extended voting hours, and empowers partisan poll watchers.
Wyoming
Key Changes: Wyoming’s HB 75 institutes a voter ID provision for in-person voting.
It’s important to note that some places like Nevada have applied significant changes. They will now send ballots t all eligible voters. On the other hand, other state reforms are more straightforward.
