United States Voting Laws In 2015

Next year Americans will be voting for the 2016 presidential candidates. Currently state legislators are examining and looking at hundreds of laws that pertain to voting. Some states are increasing voting restrictions, while others are improving access to the polls. Some of the more notable laws are written about voter ID requirements, early voting opportunities and improving voter registration. See our list below for a more detailed review of current laws and bills.

Restrictive Voting Laws

• The following states have introduced bills requiring photo ID at the polls.
  • Alaska, Connecticut, Indiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia.
  • Bills are active in North Dakota, Virginia, and Washington.
• The following states have introduced bills requiring proof of citizenship.
  • Maryland, Virginia, Washington.
• The following states have introduced bills making voter registration more difficult.
  • Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Washington.
  • A bill is active in Washington.
• The following states have introduced bills making it harder for students to vote.
  • New Hampshire.
• The following states have introduced bills reducing access to absentee ballots
  • Indiana, Texas, Virginia.
  • Bills are active in Virginia.
• The following states have introduced bills that limit protections for voter purges.(eligible votes can be taken out of the ballot)
  • Virginia, Washington. As of February 3, 2015, a bill is active in Virginia.
• The following states have introduced bills that increase the probability of longer lines. (less time to vote and fewer resources.)
  • New Jersey.
• The following states have introduced bills limiting barriers to rights restoration. (a criminal regaining the right to vote.)
  • New York.
• The following states have introduced bills blocking eligible voters. (the likelihood that they will vote is less)
  •  Mississippi.

Laws Enhancing Voter Access.

• The following states have introduced bills modernizing voter registration.
  • Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, Washington D.C.
  • Bills are active in Oregon and Washington.
• The following states have introduced bills improving electronic registration.
  • Georgia, Indiana, New Mexico, Oregon.
  • A bill is active in Oregon.
• The following states have introduced bills improving online registration.
  • Florida, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Washington, Washington D.C.
  • Bills are active in Washington.
• The following states have introduced bills improving same-day registration.
  • Georgia, Nebraska, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington.
  • A bill is active in Washington.
• The following states have introduced bills improving portability.(Ease of address change within the state)
  • Nebraska, New Jersey, New York.
• The following states have introduced bills improving registration opportunities.
  • Georgia, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas, Washington.
  • A bill is active in Oregon.
• The following states have introduced bills for pre-registering students to vote.
  • Arizona, Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Virginia, Washington.
  • Bills are active in Oregon and Washington.
• The following states have introduced bills increasing early voting opportunities.
  • Arizona, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia.
  • A bill is active in New Jersey.
• The following states have introduced bills restoring voting rights. (opportunities are expanded for criminals to regain voting rights)
  • Arizona, Florida, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia, Wyoming.
  • Bills are active in Virginia and Wyoming.
• The following states have introduced bills that will make ID laws less restrictive. 
  • Georgia, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia.
  • A bill is active in Virginia.
• The following states have introduced bills makes it more convenient for students to vote. 
  • Kansas and New York.
• The following states have introduced bills that reduce long lines and allow for ballots to be cast at other polling places.
  • Georgia and Virginia.
  • A bill is active in Virginia.
• The following states have introduced bills improving disability access.
  • Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington.
  • Bills are active in Montana, Virginia, and Washington.
• The following states have introduced bills improving use for other languages.
  • New York.
• The following states have introduced bills improving access for military voters.
  • Florida, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Carolina, Virginia.
  • A bill is active in Missouri.
• The following states have introduced bills expanding access to absentee ballots.
• Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia.
• Bills are active in New Hampshire and Virginia.
• The following states have introduced bills improving voter list maintenance. (protects against wrongful removal)
  • Virginia.
• The following states have introduced bills preventing deceptive practices.
  • New Jersey, Texas.
• The following states have introduced bills ensuring votes are counted.
  • Arizona, New York, Virginia.

Source: The Brennan Center For Justice.