Expanding Voting Rights

The legislative nuances of each state are unique, and the key to successful voting reform is the execution of legislative policy. Our system of voting is built upon a structure of laws governing everything from polling locations to actual ballot design. The history of voting reform reflects an ongoing struggle in the courts, state houses, and with local governing boards. It is imperative that those seeking change build upon the successes of past reforms and equip themselves with the tools necessary to effect change. Fair Vote has a collection of model bills that can be tailored for each state.

No one organization can be successful alone. Past successful voting reform efforts have involved multi-level stakeholder partnerships. The federal government has historically played a key role in successful reforms, but reforms also often involve leveraging the influence of local leaders from the public and private sectors.

One of the often-ignored aspects of voting rights and voting reform is financing. The nation is a patchwork quilt of varying approaches to funding state and local elections. Additionally, increasing voter education and participation is a costly effort.  The ability of communities to be successful will likely hinge upon their ability to secure funding for those efforts from a range of sources. The states are responsible for funding elections, but the level at which they fund those efforts and the equity of that funding can be a critical hurdle to overcome. Community leaders may have to look at strategies like ballot measures to establish dedicated funds for election funding. In 2020, states partnered with the private sector to fund local voting efforts. In addition, a number of philanthropic organizations fund implementation, research, reform, and/or mobilization efforts.  

In 2021, the State of Virginia approved its own version of the Voting Rights Act. The bill aims to eliminate voter suppression and intimidation in the state. Virginia is the first state to enact its own version of the federal Voting Rights Act. One key provision of the law is a requirement that local election officials obtain pre-approval from the attorney general’s office (or public feedback) in order to make any changes in voting regulations. The law also requires that voting materials be provided by local election officials in foreign languages, as needed. Lastly, the bill includes a provision for individuals to take civil action against localities for voter suppression, with civil penalties being awarded to a Voter Education and Outreach Fund. 

In 2021, the State of Kentucky was one of only two southern states to expand voter access. The state enacted several provisions that improved the ability of citizens to participate in the state’s elections process. The law made it easier to request ballots online, enshrined three days of early voting in the state, expanded the number of voting centers to increase in-person balloting, and now allows voters to correct issues with their absentee ballots rather than having them automatically invalidated.  

Broward County works in conjunction with county officials to hold an annual high school voter registration drive. School boards can support voter registration efforts by regularly requiring the school system to host voter registration assemblies and other opportunities on school grounds where students can pre-register to vote. The opportunity is available to all students who will be eligible to vote by the next election. The program also has model classroom activities that teachers can use to educate students about the voting process and the history of voting in the US.