Expanding voting rights solve democracy

The past two years were not kind to those who hold dear one of our most cherished rights—the right to vote. After the Republican wave of 2010, which saw conservative majorities swept into governors’ mansions and state legislatures, more than a dozen states—including Wisconsin, Florida, and Texas—passed legislation making it more difficult for voters to cast a ballot. The conservative cause celebre became legislation enacting voter ID, shortening early voting, and requiring citizens to show a birth certificate or passport in order to register to vote. In the face of this assault on suffrage, voting-rights advocates fought back and were able to block or modify a number of the worst new laws, including voter ID laws in Wisconsin, Texas, and South Carolina, as well as laws in Ohio and elsewhere shortening early voting periods.

With the 2013 legislative session approaching, voting-rights advocates have an opportunity to shift their effort from simply stopping bad laws to proposing good ones. It’s time to stop playing defense and start going on offense.

Suffrage that is equally accessible to all Americans is the very backbone of our democracy. We rightfully take pride in the fact that no matter how privileged or seemingly disadvantaged someone is, each person’s vote counts equally. Our voting laws should reflect this fundamental belief, making the ballot box equally accessible for all. After all, our elections are best when the electorate closely mirrors society. If students and the poor, for example, tended to vote at higher rates—rates more representative of their numbers—it would be more difficult for politicians to ignore their issues. In essence, more voters means more legitimacy.

This paper briefly details 11 pieces of legislation that lawmakers can enact to strengthen voting rights in their state. A number of these policies would make registering to vote more accessible, including online voter registration, Election Day registration, and requiring public schools to help register voters. Others would make it simpler for citizens to cast a ballot, such as expanding early voting, permitting citizens to vote at any polling location, and allowing no-excuse absentee voting. States can also discourage those trying to suppress the vote by outlawing voter caging, strengthening penalties for knowingly deceiving voters, and reforming the voter-challenge process. Finally, legislators can pass other pro-voting policies, such as restoring voting rights to ex-felons and enacting constitutional language affirming an equal right to vote.

These are not partisan pieces of legislation. States as ideologically opposed as New York and Utah have passed online registration legislation, and states as large as California and as small as New Hampshire allow citizens to register on Election Day. These are simply good-government bills. With voting rights under attack in state legislatures across the country and voters in many states enduring long lines and other hurdles before they can cast a ballot, here are 11 ways for voting-rights advocates to turn the tide and help ensure that every American can exercise his or her right to vote. First let’s look at voter registration.