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Democracy Legislation

Democracy Key Legislation – 2024

  • An Arizona Republican Senator Introduced A Resolution That Would Give The State Legislature The Power To Appoint Presidential Electors, Effectively Giving The Legislature Full Control Over Arizona’s Electoral College Votes, Regardless Of The State Popular Vote. [Arizona Legislature, 2024 Regular Session, SCR 1014, accessed 2/5/24; The Daily Beast, 1/30/24]
  • New Hampshire House Republicans Introduced Legislation To Eliminate All Exceptions For Voter Photo Identification Requirements. [New Hampshire Bulletin, 1/4/24]
  • Virginia Democratic Lawmakers Blocked A Bill Introduced By A House Republican Lawmaker To Repeal No-Excuse Absentee Voting, Publish Monthly Lists Of Newly Registered Voters,  And Repeal The Permanent Absentee Voter List. [Cardinal News, 1/10/24] [Virginia General Assembly, HB 393, 1/22/24] 
  • Republican Legislators In Arizona Introduced A Bill To Tighten Regulations On What Signatures Can Be Used For Comparisons For Absentee Ballots And Limit Who Can Distribute Early Ballot Request Forms. [Arizona Legislature, 2024 Regular Session, SB1009, introduced 1/9/24]
  • A Missouri Republican Senator Introduced A Bill That Would Ban The Use Of Electronic Tabulating Machines And Require Election Officials To Hand Count All Ballots. [Missouri Senate, 2024 Regular Session, SB 917, introduced 1/3/24]
  • A Minnesota House DFL Lawmaker Introduced A Bill To Require The Designation Of A Polling Place For At Least One Day On College Campuses With At Least 1500 Students. [Session Daily, 2/14/24] [Minnesota Legislature, HF 3447, introduced 2/12/24]
  • Senate Republicans In Pennsylvania Advanced Legislation By Sen. Dush That Would Effectively Eliminate Ballot Drop Boxes By Requiring Ballots Be Returned To An Employee At The County Seat. [PennLive, 3/19/24]
  • New York Democratic Legislators Introduced Legislation To Establish Same-Day Voter Registration, Allow For Online Voter Registration, And Create Automatic Voter Registration Procedures. [The New York State Senate, 2023-2024 Legislative Session, S7894, introduced 1/3/24]
  • Georgia Republican Lawmakers Passed A Bill That Would Allow The State Election Board To Investigate The Secretary Of State And Remove The Secretary Of State From The Election Board. [SB 358, Georgia General Assembly, House Passed 3/26/24][Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 1/23/24]
  • Democratic Lawmakers In Michigan Passed Legislation To Ban Firearm Possession At Absentee Ballot Counting Locations, As Well As Ban The Open Carry Of Firearms At Voting Locations, Ballot Drop Boxes, And Absentee Voting Locations. [Detroit Free Press, 2/29/24; Michigan Legislature, 2023-2024 Legislative Session, HB4127, passed Senate 2/29/24; Michigan Legislature, 2023-2024 Legislative Session, HB4128, passed Senate 2/29/24]

Democracy Key Legislation – 2023

Arizona

  • Legislation To Ban Ballot-Counting Machines And Require All Votes To Be Hand Counted Have Been Proposed By House Republicans. “After failing to persuade a federal judge to ban ballot-counting machines, Republicans are pursuing their goal in the Legislature: a bill (HB2307) requiring a mandatory hand count of all election votes. Ballot-counting machines would be banned. And hand counts of more than 3 million votes in a general election could take weeks.” [12 News, 1/16/23; Arizona Legislature, 2023 Regular Session, HB 2307, introduced 1/18/23]
  • A Bill That Would Ban Countywide Polling Places, And Require Precinct-Based Polling Places Has Been Introduced By House Republicans. [Arizona Legislature, 2023 Regular Session, HB 2304, introduced 1/18/23]
  • Senate Republicans Passed A Resolution That Would Raise The Threshold Of Votes Required For A Constitutional Amendment To Pass. “The Arizona Senate Elections Committee passed a measure that could make it harder for voters to pass constitutional amendments. The bill proposes that voters who wish to see a constitutional amendment must get a 60% majority, instead of a simple majority.” [KJZZ, 1/24/23; Arizona Legislature, 2023 Regular Session, SCR 1002, Senate passed 2/21/23]
  • Bills To Restrict Who Can Vote Early, And Make It Easier To Revoke Eligibility Were Introduced By House Republicans. “Lawmakers in the recently convened legislative session are eyeing changes to the longstanding practice. The most sweeping change would eliminate early voting and require voters to cast all ballots on Election Day, with exceptions for absent military and overseas voters, the visually impaired, or voters who are hospitalized or in a nursing home. The return to limited absentee voting is one of many election changes proposed by freshman Rep. Liz Harris, R-Chandler, in House Bill 2232. Other provisions include elimination of ballot tabulation machines, a mandate to hand count ballots, removal of vote centers and a requirement that election precincts cover no more than 1,500 voters and that polling places should not change unless voters are given two years’ notice.” [AZ Central, 1/18/23; Arizona Legislature, 2023 Regular Session, HB 2229, introduced 1/18/23; Arizona Legislature, 2023 Regular Session, HB 2415, Transmitted to Governor 4/4/23]
    • HB2415, Which Would Have Allowed Voters To Be Removed From Early Voting Lists, Was Vetoed By Gov. Hobbs. [Arizona Legislature, 2023 Regular Session, HB 2415, Vetoed, 4/6/23]
  • A Bill That Would Limit Where Ballot Drop Boxes Can Be Located And The Hours That They Are Used Has Been Passed By House Republicans. The bill includes provisions such as requiring drop boxes to be located inside/attached to a county building, only allowing drop boxes to be used between 8am-5pm Monday-Friday, and requires cameras. [Arizona Legislature, 2023 Session, HB 2591, House passed 3/1/23]
    • HB2591 Failed To Pass In The Senate. [Arizona Legislature, 2023 Session, HB 2591, Failed in the Senate 4/13/23]
  • A Package Of Bills That Would Automatically Register Eligible Voters, Allow For Same-Day Voter Registration, And Allow Voters To Stay On The Early Voting List Permanently Has Been Proposed By House Democrats. [Arizona Legislature, 2023 Regular Session, HB 2072, introduced 1/23/23; Arizona Legislature, 2023 Regular Session, HB 2073, introduced 1/23/23; Arizona Legislature, 2023 Regular Session, HB2334, introduced 1/26/23]

Connecticut

  • Democratic Lawmakers In Conjunction With Civil Rights, Labor, And Other Groups Called For The Passage Of The Connecticut Voting Rights Act, Which Would Expand Language Assistance For Voters, Create Protections Against Voter Intimidation, Among Other Protections. “‘I look forward to passing this long-overdue legislation to protect Connecticut residents’ voting rights,’ said Senator Matt Lesser. ‘We need consistent application of the laws across all 169 towns and the other protections the Connecticut Voting Rights Act will provide. I have introduced this legislation in each of the last three years and look forward to working with advocates, legislative leaders and Secretary of the State Thomas to see it pass into law.’” [Legal Defense Fund, 1/31/23]
    • The Bill Passed Within The State Budget And Was Signed By Gov. Lamont. “Gov. Ned Lamont signed into law Monday a bill to protect historically disenfranchised communities from discrimination at the ballot box, including key protections once considered a stronghold of the 1965 Voting Rights Act before it was gutted by the U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority. The legislation, labeled the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of Connecticut, was signed as part of the state’s $51 billion biennium budget. It was folded into the budget because its implementation includes more than $3 million in state funding over the next two fiscal years. With the governor’s signature, Connecticut joins five other states — California, Oregon, Washington, Virginia and New York — that have made the state-level voting rights act law.” [CT Mirror, 6/12/23]
  • House Democrats Voted To Pass Early Voting Laws. “Following 46 other states, Connecticut legislators voted Thursday night to allow residents to vote earlier than Election Day for the first time. After more than four hours of debate, the state House of Representatives approved the bill by 107-35 with all negative votes coming from Republicans. The caucus was split as 15 Republicans joined with Democrats to pass the measure. The bill calls for early, in-person voting for 14 days before a general election in November, seven days before the statewide August primaries, and four days before special elections and presidential primaries. Local referendums on budgets and other issues are not included.” [Hartford Courant, 5/4/23]
    • The Legislation Was Signed Into Law By Governor Lamont. “The bill gives Connecticut voters 14 days to cast their general election ballots early and in-person. Every town in the state will now be required to establish at least one early voting location beginning Jan. 1, 2024. It also allows seven early voting days for most primaries and four for presidential primaries and special elections.” [NBC Connecticut, 6/7/23]

Georgia

  • Georgia Republican Lawmakers Passed A Bill To Make It A Felony For County Election Offices To Receive Money From Nonprofit Organizations To Help Them Run Elections. “A party-line vote in the Georgia Senate gave final approval Wednesday to a bill that would make it a felony for county election offices to receive money from nonprofit organizations following Republican complaints that donations disproportionately benefited Democratic areas. The 32-21 vote on the bill, the most contentious election-related proposal at the Georgia Capitol this year, sends it to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp for his signature. […] Critics said nonprofit donations that have helped fund government election operations since 2020 overwhelmingly flowed to Democratic-run counties, but supporters of the money said it filled critical election funding shortfalls, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.”  [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 3/29/23]
    • The Bill Was Passed And Signed Into Law By Gov. Kemp. [Georgia General Assembly, 2023-2024 Regular Session, SB 222, Signed by Governor 5/3/23] 

Kansas

  • Republican Lawmakers Passed Bills Ending The Three-Day Grace Period For Mail In And Early Ballots. “House and Senate lawmakers passed bills ending the three-day grace period for advance ballot collection 77-45, following Wednesday’s debate on the ethics of limiting the window. The vote marks a shift from 2017, when the House voted to create the three-day grace period for ballots with 123 voting in favor of the legislation. […] Rep. Stephanie Sawyer Clayton, an Overland Park Democrat, said the current system should be kept. ‘We believe that the best way to maintain trust in our election systems is by working under the current constructs, as opposed to undermining democracy itself through inflammatory rhetoric,’ Sawyer Clayton said.” [Kansas Reflector, 2/23/23]
    • HB 2056 Did Not Advance And SB 209 Was Vetoed By Gov. Kelly. [Kansas Legislature, 2023-2024 Sessions, HB 2056, Recieved by the Senate 3/1/23; Kansas Legislature, 2023-2024 Sessions, SB 209, Vetoed by Governor 4/24/23] 

Maine

  • Senate Republicans Have Introduced A Bill To Require Voter ID In Maine. “But Republican Sen. Matt Pouliot of Augusta and other supporters cited national polls suggesting that a strong majority of Americans support showing a photo ID before voting. While Pouliot says he believes Maine is doing a good job of ensuring that elections are “free and fair,” he acknowledged that some people continue to believe fraud is happening within the election system and that “whether we like it or not, perception is reality.” During a roughly three-hour hearing, he and other supporters argued that passing a voter ID law could help address those voters’ concerns about election fraud.” [Bangor Daily News, 2/6/23] 
    • The Bill Failed In The House And Senate Along Party-Lines Votes. “Party-line votes in both the House and Senate earlier this week killed a bill that would have required Maine voters to present a photo ID when casting their ballots, whether that be in person or absentee, starting on January 1, 2024. The bill, LD 1365, listed a number of eligible types of photo identification, including a drivers license, state ID, United States passport, military ID, or permit to carry a concealed handgun.” [The Maine Wire, 6/23/23] 
  • Senate Republicans Introduced A Bill That Would Ban Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes. “Sen. Jeff Timberlake said, ‘We submitted a bill to prevent unmonitored drop boxes, which prevents the potential of midnight dump of unauthorized or false ballots.’ Bellows doesn’t see the value or the need for the law. ‘Any proposal to ban drop boxes or make it more difficult for municipalities to have drop boxes doesn’t make any sense,’ Bellows said. ‘People loved the drop boxes, especially Mainers who are commuting to work, sometimes hours from their town office.’” [WMTW, 3/7/23]
    • The Bill Did Not Pass Before The End Of Session. [State of Maine Legislature, 131st Maine Legislature, First Regular Session, LD 1055, accessed 7/11/23]

Michigan

  • Gov. Whitmer Signed A Bill Expanding Absentee Voting For Overseas Residents And Members Of The Military. “Absentee voter ballots filed by residents overseas and members of the military will be counted if received up to six days after an election, according to a newly-signed law. Governor Gretchen Whitmer put her signature to the latest election bill to move through the Michigan legislature, signing SB 259 into office Monday. The bill brings Michigan’s election law up to date with the state’s constitution, which was amended last year after voters passed a ballot measure that expanded absentee voting.” [Fox 2 Detroit, 5/2/23]
  • House Democrats Passed Legislation Allowing 16-Year-Olds To Preregister To Vote. “Supporters of the bill say lowering the age for preregistration (which does not allow people under 18 to actually vote) prepares young adults to participate sooner and more actively in democracy. Election officials say it also eases the registration process later, enabling smoother voting overall. State Rep. Betsy Coffia, D-Traverse City, introduced House Bill 4569 last week. She said she was encouraged by municipal clerks who say it would ‘increase the likelihood’ of more ‘robust’ participation of young people in elections over time.” [Bridge Michigan, 5/30/23; Michigan Legislature, 2023 Session, HB 4569, Passed by the House, 6/27/23]
  • Democratic Lawmakers Introduced The Michigan Voting Rights Act, A Package Of Bills Aimed At Clarifying Voter Protections And Combatting Disinformation. “Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson today announced the introduction of the Michigan Voting Rights Act to mirror and expand upon the federal Voting Rights Act, which has been weakened in recent years. […] Benson shared that the Michigan Voting Rights Act (MVRA) was introduced yesterday in the Michigan Senate. Senate Bills 401-404 were sponsored by Sens. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton), Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), Erika Geiss (D-Taylor) and Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield). The MVRA would build on the federal Voting Rights Act while adding new protections at the state level.” [Michigan Department of State, 6/23/23]
  • Democratic Lawmakers Passed A Package Of Bills Expanding Early And Absentee Voting. “At the November 2022 state general election, Michigan voters overwhelmingly approved a voting rights constitutional amendment known as Proposition 2022-2 (‘Prop 2’). Prop 2 enshrined in the Michigan Constitution the right to vote early in every statewide and federal election, a permanent absentee voting list, expansion of acceptable voter identification, absentee voter improvements, and extended deadlines for military and overseas ballots. These rights require sweeping changes in election administration. The Michigan Legislature has passed a package of election-related bills implementing these changes and providing guidance to local clerks. Certain aspects of the bills go beyond Prop 2’s constitutional mandates, including new provisions allowing faster reporting of absent voter ballot results through tabulation before the polls close on Election Day and criminal penalties for disclosing results early.” [JDSupra, 7/5/23]
    • Gov. Whitmer Signed The Legislation. “New election laws laying the groundwork for Michigan to hold its first elections under a new set of rules approved by voters who adopted an amendment to the state constitution last fall allowing early voting, codifying current voter ID laws and enabling voters to automatically receive absentee ballots for all future elections were approved by the governor Tuesday. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a series of bills implementing Proposal 2, the wide-ranging elections amendment voters who participated in last year’s midterms approved with 60% support.” [Detroit Free Press, 7/19/23]

Minnesota 

  • Minnesota Democratic Legislators Introduced An Elections Package To Expand Voting Rights. “In Minnesota, Democratic legislators this month introduced an elections package that includes measures that would automatically register qualified Minnesotans to vote when they get a new driver’s license, give 16-year-olds the option of preregistering to vote and grant the franchise to people convicted of felonies as soon as they are released from prison.”  [CNN, 1/25/23]
    • Minnesota Legislators Were Moving On A Parallel Track And Advancing Some Of The Elections Package’s Priority Bills As Standalone Measures. “But Democrats also are moving on a parallel track and advancing some of their priority bills as standalone measures. A separate bill restoring voting rights for ex-felons, for instance, has cleared an election committee and is slated to be considered by a House judiciary panel Thursday. Its sponsor, state Rep. Cedrick Frazier, said he and his fellow Democrats don’t want to squander this opportunity.” [CNN, 1/25/23]
  • HF 28, A Bill To Restore Voting Rights For Felons After Leaving Jail Or Prison, Was Signed Into Law By The Governor. “Minnesotans who are on probation for felony convictions will be allowed to cast a ballot under a new law signed by Gov. Tim Walz on Friday. The big picture: The law, which was approved by the DFL-controlled Legislature in recent weeks, will extend voting rights to an estimated 55,000 Minnesotans who had previously been barred from participating in elections.” [Axios Minnesota, 3/3/23]
    • The Legislation Was The Largest Expansion Of Voting Rights In The State In Half A Century. “The Minnesota Senate Tuesday approved the largest voting-rights expansion in the state in half a century through a bill that would permit felons to vote again upon leaving jail or prison. […] Experts framed the action as the biggest expansion of voting since the 1971 ratification of the 26th Amendment, which lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. That action made millions nationwide newly eligible to vote.” [MPR News, 2/21/23]

Missouri

  • The Missouri House Elections Committee Passed Four Bills That Would Raise Thresholds For Constitutional Amendments To Be Passed. “The first proposal approved in the committee Thursday, sponsored by House Speaker Pro Tem Mike Henderson, R-Bonne Terre, was amended to keep the current threshold for ballot access while adding a 60% majority requirement for amendments proposed by initiative. […] The changes proposed in the other plans approved by the committee vary in the ways they raise the bar. One would keep the simple majority for statewide passage but also require that it receive a majority in 82 of 163 Missouri House districts. Another would require a constitutional amendment to receive a majority equal to more than half of all registered voters, making it impossible to pass anything when turnout is less than half of the electorate.” [Missouri Independent, 1/26/23]
    • The Bill Did Not Pass In The Senate Before The End Of Session. [Missouri 102nd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session, HJR43, 5/9/23]

Nevada

  • Sen. Skip Daily Introduced Legislation To Criminalize Fake Elector Schemes In Nevada. “In a bid to strengthen Nevada election laws, Democratic Sen. Skip Daly has requested a bill that would criminalize so-called “fake elector” schemes, such as the 2020 plot that saw self-designated Republican electors seek to pledge Nevada’s electoral votes to then-President Donald Trump, despite him losing the popular vote to Democrat Joe Biden.”  [Nevada Independent, 1/18/23; Nevada Legislature, SB133, introduced, 2/14/23] 
    • The Bill Was Passed By The Democratic-Majority Legislature But Vetoed By Republican Gov. Lombardo. [Nevada Legislature, 2023 Session, SB 133, Vetoed by the Governor 6/1/23]
  • Nevada Republicans Lawmakers Are Trying To Limit Mail-In Ballot Acceptance Up To Election Day, Instead Of Current Law Which Allows For Acceptance Up To Four Days After. “ Nevada Republicans formally submitted a proposal Wednesday to limit the acceptance of mail-in ballots to Election Day and not four days after an election as is current state law. […] Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo said in his State of the State Address in January that he would support such a measure. Republican Assem. Gregory Hafen II, of Pahrump, introduced similar legislation in February. Hafen’s bill would also require voter identification.” [8NewsNow, 3/2/23] 
    • The Bill Did Not Pass Before The End Of Session. [Nevada Legislature, 2023 Session, AB 230, No further action allowed 4/15/23]
  • Democratic Lawmakers Introduced Assembly Bill 59 Which Allows Election Workers To Keep Certain Information Confidential To Protect Them From Harassment. “Assembly Bill 59, for instance, would allow state election workers to request that certain personal information be kept confidential and allows them to request that the Department of Motor Vehicles display an alternate address on their driver’s license, commercial driver’s license or state identification card.”[Las Vegas Review-Journal, 1/27/23] 
    • The Bill Did Not Pass Before The End Of Session. [Nevada Legislature, 2023 Session, AB 59, No further action allowed 4/15/23]
  • Democratic Secretary Of State Cisco Aguilar Is Pushing A Bill Making It A Felony To Threaten Election Workers. “Aguilar has talked extensively about pushing a bill making it a felony to harass, intimidate or threaten election workers or volunteers. On Friday, he is expected to introduce a bill adding “state election officials” to the list of people who can request their addresses be kept confidential, which is already granted for county and city clerks.” [KNUR, 3/3/23]
    • The Bill Passed In The Legislature And Was Signed Into Law. [Nevada Legislature, 2023 Session, SB 406, Approved by the Governor 5/24/23]
  • Republican Assemblyman Gregory Hafen II Is Planning On Introducing Legislation To Require An ID To Vote And Increase Penalties For Voter Fraud. “Assemblyman Gregory Hafen II, R-Pahrump, is introducing legislation that will require an ID to vote as well as increase penalties for committing voter fraud.”  [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 1/27/23] 
    • The Bill Did Not Pass Before The End Of Session. [Nevada Legislature, 2023 Session, AB 88, No further action allowed 4/15/23]

New Hampshire

  • House Republicans Introduced Legislation To Make Election Ballots Public Documents. [HB-415, 23-24 General Election, 1/5/23]
    • The Bill Was Blocked. [HB-415, 23-24 General Election, 1/5/23]
  • House Republicans Introduced Legislation To Audit The 2020 Presidential Election. [HB-599, 23-24 Regular Session, 1/5/23]
    • The Bill Was Blocked. [HB-599, 23-24 Regular Session, 1/5/23]
  • House Republicans Introduced Legislation To Restrict Voting Rights For College Students To Those Who Receive In-State Tuition, Require Students To Bring A Copy Of Their Tuition Bill When Registering To Vote, And Require Colleges To Provide A List Of Eligible Voters To The Secretary Of State. [HB-405, 23-24 Regular Session, 1/5/23] 
    • The Bill Was Blocked. [HB-405, 23-24 Regular Session, 1/5/23] 
  • A Bill Was Introduced By State House Republicans That Would Require Voters To Send Copies Of Their ID And Proof Of Residency With Their Mail Ballots. [HB-482, 23-24 Regular Session, 1/5/23]
    • The Bill Was Blocked. [HB-482, 23-24 Regular Session, 1/5/23]
  • Legislation Sponsored By House Republicans Would Move The Deadline For Submitting Mail Ballots On The Day Before Election Day From 5 PM to 12 PM And Move Forward The Creation Of Final Voter Registration Lists. [HB-244, 23-24 Regular Session, 1/5/23]
    • The Bill Was Adopted With Amendments. [HB-244, 23-24 Regular Session, 1/5/23]
  • House Democrats Introduced A Bill To Expand Same-Day Voter Registration And Eliminate Registration Cross-Checking By The Secretary Of State. [HB-40, 23-24 Regular Session, 1/4/23]
    • The Bill Was Tabled. [HB-40, 23-24 Regular Session, 1/4/23]
  • House Democrats Introduced A Bill That Would Require The Secretary Of State To Prepay Postage Costs For Mail Ballots. [HB-508, 23-24 Regular Session, 1/5/23]
    • The Bill Was Blocked. [HB-508, 23-24 Regular Session, 1/5/23]
  • More Than A Dozen Senate Democrats Introduced Legislation To Allow For No-Excuse Absentee Voting. [SB-220, 23-24 Regular Session, 1/19/23]
    • The Bill Was Blocked. [SB-220, 23-24 Regular Session, 1/19/23]

New Mexico

  • New Mexico’s Democrat-Backed ‘Voting Rights Act’ Heads To The Governor’s Desk For Signature. “A bill that seeks to update the state’s Election Code and make it easier for New Mexicans to vote passed the Senate on a 27 to 14 party line vote after a lengthy debate. HB 4, the Voting Rights Act, would expand automatic voter registration, restore convicted felons’ right to vote upon release from prison, create a voluntary permanent absentee voter list, and enact the Native American Voting Rights Act to the state Election Code.” [NM Political Report, 3/9/23]
    • The Bill Was Signed Into Law By Gov. Lujan Grisham. “Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Thursday signed into law the New Mexico Voting Rights Act, continuing this administration’s efforts to strengthen voter rights and protections for every New Mexican. ‘Today, New Mexico is leading the nation by example, declaring that we believe, unequivocally, in the fundamental right of every American to choose those who represent them,’ said Gov. Lujan Grisham.” [Office of the Governor, 3/30/23]
  • A Democratic Lawmaker Introduced SB-101 To Create A Permanent Absentee Voting List. [SB-101, 2023 Regular Session, 1/19/23]
    • The Bill Was Not Passed Before The End Of The Session. [SB-101, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/19/23]
  • Legislation Passed In The New Mexico Senate To Allow Voters Who Are Not Registered With A Political Party To Vote In Primary Elections. [SB-73, 2023 Regular Session, 1/18/23]
    • The Bill Was Not Passed Before The End Of The Session. [SB-73, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/18/23]
  • A Democratic Lawmaker Proposed Legislation To Expand Criminal Penalties For Election Intimidation. [SB-43, 2023 Regular Session, 1/18/23]
    • The Bill Passed In The Senate And House. [SB-43, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/18/23]
  • Legislation Prohibiting Firearms At Polling Places Was Introduced By New Mexico’s Democratic Senate Majority Leader. “A Senate panel voted 6-3 along party lines, with Republicans in opposition, to advance the bill from Democratic Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth of Santa Fe. A second committee endorsement could send the bill to a full Senate vote. […] Wirth said he heard concerns from constituents in his district about firearms at polls during the 2022 election cycle, including one person who decided to stop working at the polls because people were bringing guns with them to vote.” [AP News, 2/2/23]
    • SB-44 Passed In The Senate. “Passing on a 28-to-9 vote, the legislation would make it illegal to carry a firearm near a polling place. Sponsored by Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe) and Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe), Senate Bill 44 would make it a petty misdemeanor to carry a gun within 100 feet of a polling place on Election Day or during early voting. The law would apply to both loaded and unloaded guns.” [KRQE News, 2/15/23]
    • SB-44 Did Not Advance Through The House Before The End Of Session. [SB-44, 2023 Regular Session, Introduced 1/18/23]

North Carolina

  • Democratic Lawmakers Introduced A Bill Aimed At Increasing Voter Accessibility Through Online Voter Registration, Enforcing Penalties For Voter Intimidation, And Setting Early & Weekend Voting Times. “‘The conservative members of the General Assembly are so afraid of voters’ power that they are working to pass laws that limit our chance to cast our votes and to have that vote be counted,’ said Sen. Kandie Smith (D-Edgecombe, Pitt) at a news conference to unveil companion House and Senate bills aimed at deterring voter intimidation, providing online voter registration, setting hours for early and in-person voting on weekends, and creating a less partisan redistricting process. ‘So that voters can know and trust that they, and they alone, have the power to choose their elected officials,’ Smith said.” [BPR, 3/10/23]
  • Republican Lawmakers Passed A Bill That Would Remove Control Of Commission Seat Appointments From The Democratic Governor, And Give That Power To The State Legislature, As Well As Other Executive Branch Departments Outside Of The Governor. “The bill, which passed the chamber on a 29-18 party-line vote before heading to the House, would either shift control or eliminate over 20 commission seats otherwise filled by Cooper and future governors. Current members wouldn’t be replaced until their terms end. The legislature, Senate leader or House speaker would get to make many of those appointments instead. The state treasurer, agriculture commissioner and insurance commissioner, all of whom lead executive branch departments but are elected separately from the governor, would also get to make some appointments.” [Spectrum News 1, 4/7/23]
  • Senate Republicans Passed Legislation That Would Place Restrictions On Early And Mail-In Voting, As Well As Change The Makeup Of The State Elections Board. “The State Senate passed two bills addressing elections, SB 747 and SB 749 on Wednesday evening. Senate Bill 747 would shift the deadline for mail-in and absentee ballots from three days after election day to 7:30 p.m. on election day. It would also require new signature verification — using software to verify a person’s signature to that on record — and would change the rules for people who register to vote on election day, making their ballots provisional. […] Senate Bill 749 would restructure the Board of Elections by splitting the appointments between the majority and minority leaders in the General Assembly.” [ABC11, 6/21/23]

Ohio

  • Republicans In Ohio Have Introduced A Bill That Would Raise The Threshold For Constitutional Amendments To Pass From A Simple Majority To 60%, As Well As Make Changes To The Signature Requirements For Initiative Petitions. “The proposal asks voters to raise the passage threshold for future amendments. The idea proved controversial and ran out of steam at the tail end of the last legislative session. […] Wednesday, though, Stewart filed his “Ohio Constitution Protection Amendment” alongside more than 30 GOP co-sponsors. He noted two substantive changes from the previous version. ‘The new version would require that signatures come from all 88 counties instead of just 44,’ Stewart said. ‘If an amendment is going to apply to every Ohio and then every community should have a hand in putting that potential constitution amendment on the ballot. We’re also going to eliminate the cure period for constitutional amendments,’ Stewart added. That period allows citizen-led organizations to gather additional signatures if their initial batch doesn’t meet requirements to make the ballot.” [Ohio Capital Journal, 1/12/23]

Pennsylvania

  • Senate Democrats Introduced A Bill To Enact Automatic Voter Registration. [SB-40, 23-24 Regular Session, 1/31/23] 
  • Senate Republicans Proposed A Constitutional Amendment To Provide For Election Audits. [SB-130, 23-24 Regular Session, 1/6/23]
  • The Republican-Controlled Pennsylvania Senate Passed Senate Bill 1, Universal Voter ID Legislation That Would Limit The Types Of Identification Voters Can Use To Vote. [SB-1, 23-24 Regular Session, 1/11/23]
    • Senate Bill 1 Was Proposed For The Second Time In A Consecutive Session, A Requirement To Put The Constitutional Amendment On The Ballot. “In order to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot, it must pass through the General Assembly in two consecutive terms. Laughlin’s bill, Senate Bill 1 of the 2023-2024 legislative session, would be the second passage of a voter ID amendment that was introduced by Republican State Senator Judy Ward and passed in the 2021-2022 legislative session.” [Jim Wertz, Erie Reader, 1/11/23]
  • House Democrats Passed A Bill Through Committee That Would Allow Election Officials To Begin Processing Mail-In Ballots Prior To Election Day. “A committee in the Democratic-controlled state House voted Monday to pass a bill that, among other changes, would allow counties to open mail ballot envelopes, flatten the ballots within, and prepare them to be tallied before Election Day — a labor-intensive process commonly known as pre-canvassing. Election administrators have long argued the change would allow the commonwealth to report its election results more quickly. But while lawmakers across the political spectrum have generally been open to pre-canvassing, it has been repeatedly mired in fights between Republicans and Democrats over more controversial election measures.” [WHYY, 4/25/23]

South Dakota

  • A Bill That Would Give The Legislature The Power To Join & Control Election-Law Litigation, Effectively Giving Partisan Control Over The Outcome Of Any Election Law Cases, Was Introduced. “Requires plaintiffs suing over the constitutionality of state election law to serve the lawsuit on the Legislative Research Council within 14 days of filing. The Executive Board of the Legislative Research Council may hold a public meeting and decide to join the case by right on behalf of the Legislative. Although the Legislative Research Council is a nonpartisan agency serving the members and staff of the Legislature, the Executive Board is a 15-member body of legislators from both chambers that can be very partisan because of how its members are chosen. Indeed, the 2022 Executive Board had 13 Republican members and 2 Democrats.” [Voting Rights Lab, SD S 116, accessed 2/7/23]
    • The Bill Failed To Pass Before The End Of Session. [South Dakota Legislature, 2023 Session, S 116, Failed 2/22/23]

Texas

  • After Passing A Bill In 2021 To Decrease Penalties For Illegal Voting, Attempts Are Being Made To Reverse That Decision, And Instead Increase The Penalty T0 A Felony. “At least five pre-filed bills in Texas would raise the penalty for illegal voting from a class A misdemeanor to a second-degree felony, punishable by up to two years in prison. The bills come after SB1, Texas’s omnibus voting law passed in 2021, decreased the penalty for illegal voting to a misdemeanor from a felony, partly in response to the arrest and conviction of Crystal Mason for illegally voting. Mason was sentenced to five years in prison despite the fact that she said she did not know that voting while she was on supervised release meant that she was violating the law.” [The Guardian, 1/17/23]
    • HB 1243, Which Increases Penalties For Illegal Voting, Passed And Was Signed Into Law By Gov. Abbott. [Texas Legislature, 2023 Session, HB 1243, Signed by the Governor 6/13/23]
  • Senate Republicans Introduced A Bill To Allow The Secretary Of State To Overturn Election Results In Certain Counties. “Senate Bill 1993 was introduced on Thursday by state senators. It would allow the secretary of state – currently a Republican – to order a new election and gain district court-level authority. […] The passage of the bill would affect six Texas counties: Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, Bexar, Travis, and Collin. Harris County experienced an onslaught of conspiracy theory attacks during the 2020 and 2022 elections due to having technical difficulties ranging from the polling sites opening late to having a shortage of paper ballots.” [Mediaite, 3/31/23]
    • SB 1933 Passed In The Legislature And Was Signed Into Law By Gov. Abbott. [Texas Legislature, 2023 Session, SB 1993, Signed by the Governor 6/18/23]

Virginia

  • The House Of Delegates Passed Several Bills To Tighten Voting Laws, Including Banning Drop Boxes And Limiting Early Voting. “The Republican-led House of Delegates passed several bills Thursday to tighten voting laws in Virginia. Delegates voted along party lines Thursday to ban ballot drop boxes and shorten the period for voting early in person to two weeks, mainly symbolic votes as both bills will likely meet a swift end in the Democratic-controlled Virginia Senate. Democrats have used their majority in the state Senate to block past efforts from Republican state lawmakers to overhaul Virginia’s voting rules.” [WRIC, 1/26/23]
    • HB 1693, Which Would Ban Ballot Drop Boxes, And HB 1877, Which Would Limit Early Voting, Both Died In The Senate. [Virginia General Assembly, 2023 Session, HB 1693, Passed by indefinitely 2/14/23; Virginia General Assembly, 2023 Session, HB 1877, Passed by indefinitely 2/14/23]
  • The Virginia Senate Voted Down Multiple Measures, Including A Voter ID Requirement And Limit Early Voting. “The Virginia Senate Privileges and Elections Committee — made up of nine Democrats and six Republicans — rejected bills Tuesday that would require voters to show a photo ID to cast a ballot and cut down the 45-day window for early voting.” [WRIC, 1/18/23]

Washington

  • Senate Democrats Passed Legislation That Expands The Online Voter Registration System, Allowing Voters To Use Other Forms Of ID To Register. “This bill, as amended on February 1, 2023, would expand the state’s online voter registration system to allow people to use it with a Washington state learner’s permit or the last four digits of their Social Security number, and to improve the ability to use a Washington tribal ID. Under existing law, a person can only use a Washington state driver’s license, state identification card, or tribal identification, but online registration can only be completed if the state is able to pull the voter’s signature from the DMV (Department of Licensing) using the ID number.” [Voting Rights Lab, WA S 5208, accessed 2/7/23]
    • The Bill Was Passed And Sent To The Governor. [Washington State Legislature, 2023-24 Regular Session, SB5208, Delivered to Governor, 4/20/23]

Wisconsin

  • Democratic Lawmakers Introduced A Bill To Enter Into An Agreement Among The States To Elect The U.S. President By Means Of A National Popular Vote. [SB-144, 2023 Regular Session, 4/3/2023]
  • A Bill Sponsored By Republican Lawmakers Would Require Verifying Citizenship Of Individuals On The Official Voter Registration List. [SB-98, 2023 Regular Session, 3/1/23] 
  • A Republican Sponsored Bill Would Remove Ineligible Voters From The Official Voter Registration List. [SB-26, 2023 Regular Session, 1/27/23] 
  • Republican Lawmakers Introduced A Bill To Repeal A Law That Allows The Election Clerk To Remedy An Error Of Address On An Absentee Ballot. [SB-5, 2023 Regular Session, 1/27/23]
  • Republican Lawmakers Are Working To Pass Legislation That Would Tighten Election Laws, Including Requiring Military Voters To Present Photo ID. “Republicans are working to tighten election laws in Wisconsin. An Assembly committee will hear four bills on Tuesday (June 6th) that would alter some of Wisconsin’s election laws. One would require military voters to present a photo ID, while the other would assist local election officials in covering the costs associated with required special elections. It’s unclear which of the plans, if any, will be put into effect. Any legislation that Governor Evers believes will make voting in Wisconsin more difficult will be overridden, he has vowed.” [Seehafernews.com, 6/5/23]

Wyoming

  • House Republicans Passed Legislation That Would Prohibit Primary Voters From Changing Their Party Affiliation After The First Day On Which Nomination Applications May Be Filed. [HB-103, 2023 Regular Session, 1/11/23]
    • The Bill Passed And Was Signed By The Governor. [HB-103, 2023 Regular Session, Governor Signed 3/2/23]
  • House Republicans Passed Legislation Requiring Acceptable Forms Of Identification When A Voter Applies For An Absentee Ballot In Person. [HB-279, 2023 Regular Session, 1/26/23]
    • The Bill Passed And Was Signed By The Governor. [HB-279, 2023 Regular Session, Governor Signed, 2/23/23]
  • Senate Republicans Passed Legislation To Prohibit A Person Other Than The County Clerk Or Secretary Of State From Distributing Unsolicited Absentee Ballot Request Forms. [SF-131, 2023 Regular Session, 1/17/23]
    • The Bill Passed But Was Vetoed By The Governor. [SF-131, 2023 Regular Session, Governor Vetoed, 3/17/23]

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