Protecting Eligible Voters
Coinciding with the nation’s tense immigration debate of recent years is a strong belief among certain partisans that undocumented people are somehow undermining the democratic process.
Instances of non-citizens attempting to cast a ballot are extremely rare, but this drummed up fear has real consequences: it excludes legitimate voters who do not have documentary proof of citizenship, such as seniors, students living away from home, or married people who adopt the surname of their spouses.
Further, proof-of-citizenship policies essentially quash community-based voter registration drives, which are responsible for reaching large numbers of potential voters at markets, churches, and other public places where one is unlikely to carry birth certi cates and passports.
Ensuring that eligible Americans are not prevented from registering and voting due to unnecessary and discriminatory bureaucratic hurdles like proof-of-citizenship requirements is one of Project Vote’s key missions.
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Voting Rights Group Sues Ga. Sec. of State Brian Kemp for Voter Registration Records
Project Vote filed a lawsuit today against Georgia's Secretary of State, Brian Kemp, over his refusal to release public records relating to rejected voter registration applications. Read more
Groups Ask Court for Immediate Halt of Voting Restrictions
Project Vote and partners file a motion to halt enforcement of proof-of-citizenship requirements on federal voter registration form in three states. Read more
Proof of Citizenship Action Illegal, Federal Suit Says
Project Vote and colleagues filed suit against Brian Newby, Executive Director of the EAC, for illegal proof-of-citizenship action. Read more
Both Lawmakers and Citizens Push for Voting Reforms Before 2016 Election
In 2015, nonpartisan voting rights group Project Vote monitored 315 bills, introduced by state and federal lawmakers, that could change the way people vote in 2016 and beyond. Read more
Supreme Court Declines to Review Proof-of-Citizenship Case
Lawsuit brought by Arizona and Kansas to force changes in the federal voter registration form reaches the end of the road. Read more
Voting Rights Proposals Could Affect 2016 Elections
Since January, lawmakers on the state and federal levels have introduced over 180 bills that would change state and federal voting laws. Read more
Appeals Court Overturns March Ruling in Kobach v. EAC
In a major victory for voting rights, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit has unanimously ruled that Arizona and Kansas cannot force the Election Assistance Commission to alter the federal voter registration form to require documentary proof-of-citizenship. Read more
What Kind of Year Has It Been for Election Laws?
With Americans heading to the polls in just four weeks, a new report from voting rights group Project Vote shows that many beneficial election reforms were proposed in 2014, but few voters will find it easier to cast a ballot on November 4. Read more
In Election Legislation, Many Proposals but Few Solutions
Today, Project Vote released a new report analyzing the legislative landscape in 2014, and assessing the ground gained and lost so far in the war over voting rights. Read more
U.S. Court of Appeals Orders Stay in Proof of Citizenship Case
Yesterday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit issued a stay in Kris W. Kobach et al v. United States, meaning that, while the Court considers the appeal, residents of Kansas and Arizona applying to register to vote using the federal registration form will not be required to provide proof of citizenship. Read more