Carding Democracy
In recent years, more and more states—fueled by exaggerated fears of fraudulent voting—have enacted laws requiring that a voter present photographic identification at the polls.
Although details of the laws vary, they all deter otherwise-eligible voters from going to the polls. Those hit hardest are the same groups traditionally marginalized in our election process: African Americans, Spanish speakers, low-income individuals, disabled voters, and youth.
The stated rationale for the measures—preventing voter fraud—is baseless. Photo ID laws prevent only one kind of voter fraud: impersonation at the polling place, in which an individual poses as a particular eligible voter and votes as that person. This sort of voter fraud is extremely rare.
The impact of this “solution” to the phantom problem of voter impersonation is not trifling; millions of dollars must be devoted to implementation, free IDs, and voter education. While photo ID exacts a steep financial cost, disenfranchising our most vulnerable citizens takes an incalculable toll on democracy.
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Project Vote Applauds Michigan Governor Snyder’s Veto of Voter Suppression Package
Today, Governor Rick Snyder of Michigan vetoed a package of voter suppression laws—including HB 5061, SB 754 and SB 803—passed by the state legislature. Project Vote Executive Director Michael Slater issued the following statement in response Read more
Department of Justice Properly Rejects Texas Voter ID Law as Discriminatory
Today, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) notified the state of Texas that it would not approve the state's new voter ID law because it violated the Voting Rights Act. Michael Slater, executive director of Project Vote, issued the following statement in response: Read more
MI House Should Vote “No” on Voter Suppression Package
The Michigan legislature is considering a package of bills that will create unnecessary hurdles for voters. Read more
Voting rights are still under attack in 2012, but voting rights advocates see some signs of hope
The first month of this election year has already seen a concerted and coordinated movement to roll back voting rights across the country. These legislative trends, which could have a powerful impact on turnout in the 2012 election and beyond, are summarized in a new report released Monday from Project Vote. Read more
ACLU, Project Vote File to Join Federal Court Review Of Voter Suppression Act
The American Civil Liberties Union, together with Project Vote, today filed a Motion to Intervene in the United States District Court’s review of the Voter Suppression Act (formerly House Bill 1355) which, if approved, will make it harder for Floridians to register to vote, harder to vote and harder to have that vote counted. Read more
Project Vote Issues Statement on TX Voter ID Law
This morning, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed SB 14, which will institute strict photo-ID requirements for anyone wishing to vote in the state. Project Vote Executive Director Michael Slater issued the following statement in response: Read more
Voting Rights Groups Urge Florida Governor to Oppose Unjustified and Harmful” Election Legislation”””
Today Project Vote joined 37 other national and Florida-based civil rights organizations in urging Florida Governor Charlie Crist to oppose (and, if necessary, veto) proposed legislation that would "needlessly infringe on the voting rights of Floridians." Read more
Supreme Court Voter ID Decision Legalizes Voter Disenfranchisement
On Monday, April 28, the Supreme Court rejected a constitutional challenge to Indiana’s law (Crawford v. Marion County Elections Board) requiring voters to show a government-issued photo identification before they may cast a ballot. Read more
Project Vote Statement on Supreme Court Hearing of Crawford v. Marion County Elections Board
On Wednesday, January 9, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Crawford v. Marion County Elections Board, about the constitutionality of Indiana’s voter ID law. Donna Massey, Project Vote Board Member and supporter of voting rights, issued this statement: Read more
Justice Department Continues Pattern of Disenfranchisement
The Justice Department has again gone on record supporting strict documentary identification requirements for voters, despite the fact that such laws disenfranchise voters. Read more