Voter Registration Policy

IMG_0588aIn 49 out of 50 states, participating in the American democratic process requires an important first step: registering to vote.

Throughout American history, however, voter registration has frequently been used as a bureaucratic hurdle placed between eligible Americans and the ballot box.

That’s why Project Vote works across the country to ensure simple, fair, equitable voter registration policies that make it easier, not harder, for eligible citizens to register to vote.

From fighting laws that place unfair restrictions on community-based voter registration drives, to advocating for innovations like Automatic Voter Registration, Online Registration, Same-Day Registration, and Permanent-Portable Registration, Project Vote wants to make sure that every eligible American can register to vote.

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Model Bill: High School Voter Registration

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This document provides a template for lawmakers and other interested parties to draft bills in support of high school voter registration. Read more

Research Memo: Best Practices for High School Registration Programs

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In Project Vote’s ongoing efforts to encourage civic participation among America’s youth, we have been gathering data to gauge the existence and effectiveness of high school voter registration programs nationwide. This report compiles the best practices and effective tips that our survey respondents recommended for implementing successful high school voter registration programs. Read more

Legislative Brief: Voter Registration Drives

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Community-based voter registration organizations serve as critical intermediaries between states and citizens who are currently alienated from the political process. Such voter registration drives have long been a feature of American politics and have helped countless Americans become registered voters. This tremendous success, however, elicited an organized backlash that came in two parts: claims of voter fraud and the introduction of state bills that were designed to restrict voter registration drives. Read more

Policy Brief: Voter Registration Modernization and the NVRA

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This policy brief documents various problems with voter registration and outlines pragmatic solutions states can adopt to make registering to vote simple, efficient and transparent. Read more

Fact Sheet: Engaging the Youth Electorate through High School Voter Registration

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Legislators across the United States should support legislation that allows 16 and 17-year-olds to preregister to vote. Several factors demonstrate why preregistration legislation is necessary. Read more

Policy Paper: No Match, No Vote

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Congress passed the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) in 2002, including provisions to streamline and modernize voter registration databases and establish identification requirements. However, some states have misinterpreted the law and passed onerous “No Match, No Vote” laws. Read more

Model Bill: Preregistration

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This document provides a template for lawmakers and other interested parties to draft bills in support of preregistration legislation. Read more

Model Testimony: Paperless Voter Registration

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This document provides a template for lawmakers and other interested parties to draft bills in support of paperless voter registration. Read more

Fact Sheet: Expanding the Youth Electorate through Preregistration

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Preregistration for 16- and 17-year-olds is an important step in addressing underrepresentation among youth in the U.S. electorate. Several factors demonstrate why preregistration legislation is necessary. Read more

Fact Sheet: Expanding the Youth Electorate in Arizona through Preregistration

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Preregistration for 16 and 17-year-olds is an important step in addressing underrepresentation among youth in Arizona’s electorate. Several factors demonstrate why preregistration legislation is necessary. Read more