Voter Caging

Fighting Voter Suppression Schemes

Voter caging is the practice of sending mass direct mailings to registered voters by non-forwardable mail, then compiling lists of voters, called “caging lists,” from the returned mail in order to formally challenge their right to vote on that basis alone. Armed with no other evidence than returned mail, partisan operatives abuse state laws to file targeted mass challenges to voters.

votercagingConducted under the auspices of voter list maintenance or “ballot security,” voter caging has largely been used by partisan forces to disenfranchise large numbers of minority voters.

Although public awareness of voter caging is relatively new, partisans have engaged in the practice on state and nationwide levels since the 1950s, culminating in an unprecedented number of voter caging operations across the nation in 2004. These efforts put hundreds of thousands of eligible voters at risk in the 2004 election, and resulted in a number of lawsuits.

Most Recent / Relevant Items

Advanced Filters and Sorting

30 results returned

NC NAACP v. NC SBOE: U.S. Statement of Interest

Litigation Document See all

U.S. Department of Justice submitted this statement of interest in NC NAACP v. NC SBOE, a case concerning wrongful purging of the voter rolls in North Carolina in violation of the National Voter Registration Act. Read more

Voter Empowerment Act would Improve Elections for Both Voters and Officials

Post See all

Today, the Voter Empowerment Act (VEA) was introduced in the House of Representatives. Estelle Rogers, legislative director for Project Vote,... Read more

Voter Empowerment Act would Improve Elections for Both Voters and Officials

Press Release See all

Today, the Voter Empowerment Act (VEA) was introduced in the House of Representatives. Estelle Rogers, legislative director for Project Vote, issued the following statement in support of this important legislation. Read more

Project Vote Applauds Introduction of Bi-Partisan Bill to Restore the Protections of the Voting Rights Act

Press Release See all

Today, Congressmen James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and John Conyers (D-MI), and Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT), introduced a bipartisan update to the Voting Rights Act. Read more

Voting Rights Act Ruling a Setback for Our Great Democracy

Press Release See all

Today’s ruling is a significant setback for voting rights in our great democracy. The Voting Rights Act remains one of the most important achievements of the civil rights movement, and for almost 50 years has been a vital tool to protect real voters from losing their right to cast a ballot.  Read more

Court Rules RNC Can’t Suppress Voters

Press Release See all

A three-judge panel has rejected the RNC's request to void an agreement over voter caging and other voter suppression activities. Read more

Tea Party, GOP Groups, Target Minorities for Voter Suppression Schemes

Press Release See all

As the hotly contested November election nears, it should be no surprise that voter intimidation and suppression schemes are ramping up too.  Even beyond the usual partisan pre-election hysteria, this year the Tea Party has made "voter fraud" a rallying cry. Read more

Voter Fraud Vigilantes: The Questionable Legality of Voter Challenges

Post See all

On Monday, we blogged about the Tea Party’s alleged voter suppression efforts in Wisconsin. The Tea Party’s plan reportedly relies... Read more

Voter Suppression Efforts Reportedly Planned in Wisconsin

Post See all

A Wisconsin advocacy group reportedly uncovered “voter suppression plans” to be implemented by the state Republican Party, Americans for Prosperity,... Read more

Voters Still Disenfranchised by 120 Year Old Florida Statute

Post See all

Last month, our nation celebrated the remembrance of one of America’s greatest heroes, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who stands... Read more