brennan center for justice at new york university school of law &
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Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law
&
Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law
Election Reform Gains in 2015
Wendy WeiserDirector, Democracy Program
November 12, 2015
Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law
Who We Are – Nonprofit VOTE
Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law
Founded in 2005, Nonprofit VOTE partners with America's nonprofits to help the people they serve participate and vote.
We are a leading source of nonpartisan training, materials and other resources for nonprofits doing voter engagement work.
Find out more about our mission and partners on our site www.nonprofitvote.org
Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law
• Democracy and justice
• Think tank, advocacy group, public interest law firm, communications hub
• Policy initiatives and reports
• Legislation, testimony, coalition work
• Legal representation and amicus briefs
• Media work
Who We Are – Brennan Center for Justice
Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law
Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law
Wendy WeiserDirector, Democracy Program
Brennan Center for JusticeNYU School of Law
Today’s Speaker
Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law
Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law
* Lawsuits pending
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States With New Voting Restrictions Since 2010 Election
Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law
Vote Restriction Legislation, 2013-15
Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law
Expansive Voting Legislation, 2013-15
• 48 states – bills introduced
• 26 states – laws enacted
Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law
Expansive Voting Legislation
• Modernize voter registration
• Automatic• Electronic• Online• EDR and SDR• Pre-registration
• Early voting
• Rights restoration
• Expand ID
Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law
Breakthrough: Automatic Registration
Oregon
California
New Jersey
Photo: Thinkstock
Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law
How Automatic Registration Works
• Designated government agencies
• Paperless and seamless
• Opt-out
Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law
Impact of Automatic Registration
• Boost registration rates
• Reduce errors
• Allow groups and campaigns to focus on issues and mobilization
Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law
Increased Registration from Electronic Registration
Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law
Automatic Registration Gaining Momentum
Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law
Automatic Registration Increasingly Popular
• CA Democratic Congressional Delegation• Attorney General Kamala D. Harris• CA Association of Clerks and Election Officials• Alameda County Board of Supervisors• Asian Americans Advancing Justice• CA Democratic Party• CA Environmental Justice Alliance• CA Labor Federation• CALPIRG• CA School Employees Association• CA State Council of SEIU• CA Teachers Association• CA Teamsters Public Affairs Council
• Center on Race, Poverty, & the Environment• Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO
District 9• League of Women Voters of C.A • L.A. County Board of Supervisors• Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson • Santa Monica Mayor Kevin McKeown • Natural Resources Defense Council• Representative Barbara Lee• Sierra Club• State Building and Construction Trades Council• The Pew Charitable Trusts’ Election Initiatives
Letters in support of CA law:
Presidential candidate platforms:
• Hillary Clinton• Bernie Sanders
• Martin O’Malley
Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law
Fully Modern Registration
• Automatic (and electronic) registration
• Online registration
• Portable registration
• Same- and Election Day registration or other failsafe
Photo: Flickr
Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law
Electronic Registration
Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law
Online Registration
Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law
Online Registration, cont’d
•Popular and can be used to boost registration
•Smartphone compatible in 9 states
•Partnership with groups in CA
• Limited to DMV ID holders in all but 3 states (DE, MN, MO)
Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law
Same- and Election Day Registration
Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law
Impact of Same-Day Registration
• Focus on mobilization
• Improve turnout by 5-7%
• Portability
• 1 in 9 Americans move each year
• 1 in 3 unregistered Americans dropped off rolls because they moved
• Learn state requirements
Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law
Early Voting Changes
• Available in some form in 33 states
• Benefits for voters and officials
• Since 2012:
• Setbacks in WI, NC, and NE
• Progress in FL, MD, and MA
• Timing and process varies
Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law
Rights Restoration After Criminal Conviction
•2015 Reform in VA, veto in MD
• Progress in 20 states in last 20 years, 6 states in last 5 years
•States to watch: MD and KY
•IA, KY, and FL have lifetime disenfranchisement
•Rules in all 50: http://www.brennancenter.org/sites/default/files/publications/images/RTV%20Map%2010.19.15.pdf
Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law
Learn More
• www.brennancenter.org
• State-by-state voting guides http://www.brennancenter.org/student-voting http://www.866ourvote.org/pages/voter-education-materials
• Voter registration modernization https://www.brennancenter.org/voter-registration-modernization
• State-by-state voter registration reform https://www.brennancenter.org/analysis/voter-registration-modernization-states
• Voting Laws Roundups https://www.brennancenter.org/analysis/voting-laws-roundup-2015
Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law
Brennan Center for Justicewww.brennancenter.org