Analysis

2008 Primary Elections

Voter Caging

Support for DC Voting Rights

Voting Rights Advocates Oppose Voter ID Amendment to Immigration Bill

Sen. McConnell proposed an amendment to S. 1348, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007, that would require voters to provide government-issued photo ID as a condition to vote. Voting rights advocates sent letters to U.S. Senators urging them to oppose Amendment No. 1170, as it has nothing to do with the immigration bill and would deprive millions of Americans of their fundamental right to vote.

The amendment was rejected in a 52-41 vote.

National Network for Election Reform Opposes Photo ID Amendments to H.R. 811

In September 2006, the National Network for Election Reform submitted a letter to the 109th Congress, with more than 30 signatories, in opposition to an onerous voter ID and proof of citizenship bill. On May 8, 2007, the National Network submitted the same letter to the 110th Congress to express its opposition to proposed amendments to H.R. 811 that call voter ID requirements similar to those proposed in the last Congress.

Brennan Center Expresses Support for H.R. 811

On May 7, 2007, the Brennan Center expressed its support for H.R. 811, the Increased Voter Confidence and Accessibility Act of 2007. This bill would implement many the key recommendations for addressing security and reliability flaws in electronic voting systems analyzed in the Brennan Center's June 2006 report, The Machinery of Democracy: Protecting Elections in an Electronic World.

H.R. 281: Universal Right to Vote by Mail Act of 2007

H.R. 281, the Universal Right to Vote by Mail Act of 2007 would give all voters the option to vote by mail in federal elections for any reason. Many groups support this legislation.

Brennan Center Calls for Greater Transparency and Accountability of EAC

In response to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission's announcement to review its internal processes on releasing research and reports, the Brennan Center proposes many reforms to increase the agency's transparency and accountability.

Electionline Round-up of Presidential Candidates and Election Reform

Electionline.org summarizes the election reform efforts of the 2008 presidential candidates.

The Myth Of Voter Fraud

On March 29, 2007, the Washington Post published an op-ed authored by Brennan Center staff debunking the myth of widespread voter fraud.

Brennan Center Democracy Audit Report

In March 2005, the Brennan Center completed a feasibility study of a 50-state “Democracy Audit” -- a comprehensive survey and evaluation of each state’s rules, structures, procedures, and practices in light of the basic principles of democratic governance. The study recommends a basic design for the Audit and identifies some of the variables to be considered in developing its components.

A Legal Analysis of the Restoration of Federal Voting Rights to People Post-Incarceration

A number of pending federal bills seek to restore the voting rights to people with past felony convictions who are no longer incarcerated. The Brennan Center has conducted a legal analysis that concludes that these bills are within Congress's Article I powers.