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.
Conducted 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
- (30)
- (5)
- (5)
- (1)
- (4)
- (15)
Advanced Filters and Sorting
Living the Past in the Present: Voter Intimidation Tactics Still Thrive in America
In observance of Black History month, it is fitting to revisit America’s less than stellar record in the ongoing effort... Read more
Policy Paper: Maintaining Current and Accurate Voter Lists
This report discusses some of the challenges for election officials inherent in maintaining accurate voter lists while ensuring no eligible voters are wrongfully removed from the rolls, and offers recommendations for implementing best practices. Read more
Model Bill: Voter Caging
This document provides a template for lawmakers and other interested parties to draft bills in support of preventing voter caging practices. Read more
Legislative Brief: Voter Intimidation and Caging
This2010 brief defines voter intimidation and voter caging, gives recent examples of both issues, and offers recommendations for preventing these problems in today’s elections. Read more
Project Vote: RNC Wants to Renew its License to Suppress Voters
On the eve of the November election, while the focus of the nation and the media were on the next day’s voting, the Republican National Committee (RNC) was quietly moving to ensure that, in future elections, they could benefit from voter caging, voter intimidation, and other dirty practices. Read more
New Project Vote Media Memo Assesses GOP’s Record of Voter Caging and Other So-Called “Ballot Security” Measures
On November 3, 2008, on the eve of an historic defeat for the GOP, the Republican National Committee (RNC) quietly filed a motion to dissolve an existing consent decree that prohibits them from engaging in so-called “ballot-security” measures… Read more
Project Vote Calls on Political Parties, Election Officials to Protect Voters Facing Foreclosure
Today the voting rights group Project Vote sent letters to both major political parties in 10 states—AZ, CO, FL, GA, MO, NC, NM, NV, PA, and VA—urging them to "oppose and refrain from" using lists of home foreclosures as the basis for "voter caging" operations. Read more
In Response to Pressure, GOP Backs Off Its Plans to Challenge Montana Voters
Yesterday the Republican Party of Montana announced that it was abandoning its plans to challenge the voting eligibility of at least 6,000 residents of that state-mostly in democratic strongholds-who had filed change-of-address cards with the U.S. Postal Service. Read more
Project Vote Denounces Republican Attack on Montana Voters
As reported yesterday in the online news outlet The Missoulian, the Republican Party of Montana is challenging the eligibility to vote of at least 6,000 residents of that state—mostly in key Democratic strongholds—based solely on the fact that the residents have filed change-of-address cards with the U.S. Postal Service. Read more
In Ohio, Voter Registration Conflict Is Brewing
Early voting starts Tuesday in Ohio, but that doesn't mean that the process will go smoothly. On Monday, state courts rejected a Republican Party challenge to the right of voters to register and vote the same day. Five lawsuits have been filed against Ohio's secretary of state in September alone. Read more