Grow the Electorate

Overview

Nov 04 2008

Voter turnout rates are tragically low in this country. Even the record-breaking turnout of the recent presidential primaries reached a mere third of eligible adults in only nine states. In the general election that followed, turnout was less than two-thirds of eligible adults, placing us well below peer nations. Even the states with the highest turnout rates, such as Alaska, Maine, Minnesota, Oregon, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, have turn-out significantly below high-turnout nations such as Austria, Italy, and the Czech Republic.

An election system that fosters broad participation is essential to bringing about progressive change for the simple reason that a majority of people, especially many not currently voting, support the goals that progressives are striving to achieve. Equally important for progressive reform is encouraging participation by groups who have been and continue to be marginalized politically. Reducing the demographic and socio-economic skew in the electorate will strengthen the voice of groups that support traditionally progressive goals such as civil rights, health care reform, and economic justice. A host of reforms can help increase the percentage of people who vote and bring more racial, ethnic, and socio-economic diversity to the electorate.

Registration remains the biggest procedural hurdle to voting. It is crucial that this barrier be lowered or removed altogether if we are to become a society where a large majority of people participate in elections. We can use a number of tools to simplify the registration and voting process, particularly for young people, to build a stronger culture of civic participation.

From the Dispatch

All-Mail Voting Is One Winner of Colorado's Primary

Aug 12 2010

As pundits attempt to digest what Colorado's primary on Tuesday night means for incumbents and insurgents alike, there is one thing everyone can agree on: voting by mail saved counties much-needed money while boosting turnout.

All-Mail Voting Increases Turnout and Saves Money in Hawaii Special Election

May 27 2010

Results from Hawaii's recent all-mail special election for Congress are in--and the clear winner was the mail voting system that dramatically increased turnout and saved the state sorely needed money.

Youth Registration Law Approved in Maryland

Apr 15 2010

With a vote on the final day of the Maryland legislative session and an expected governor's signature, Maryland will become the fifth state with 16-year-old youth voter pre-registration. The bill, HB 217, is expected to create thousands of new voters and encourage participation among young people.

Vote by Mail: Saving Money in Colorado

Apr 08 2010

Highlighting the gains from allowing vote by mail options, Boulder County has joined a growing list of Colorado counties and localities that will conduct the 2010 primary election only by mail.

State Policymakers Need to Respond to Growing Clout of Latino Voters Nationwide

Feb 18 2010

A recent report from the advocacy group America’s Voice highlighted the growing power of Latino voters in the upcoming 2010 elections. Latino voters played a critical role in 2008 to propel President Obama to victory in several key swing states that previously trended Republican, including Virginia. Latino voter registration and turnout rates have exploded over the past few years: roughly 10 million voted in the 2008 Presidential election alone, a 2.5 million increase from 2004 and 4 million person increase since 2000. Latino voter registration grew by over 54% between 2000 and 2008, and turnout grew 64% over the same time period.

Rhode Island Legislature Overrides Governor's Veto of Key Registration Reform

Jan 07 2010

The Rhode Island Senate and House of Representatives voted on Tuesday to override a gubernatorial veto of important electoral reform legislation that will allow voter pre-registration for 16 and 17-year-olds. Rhode Island now becomes the fifth state, and the fourth in three years, to allow minors to pre-register, a process where their voter registration automatically becomes active upon turning 18.

Access to Voter Registration for Low-income Ohioans Set to Improve

Dec 10 2009

Low-income Ohioans will soon be ensured access to voter registration at Ohio public assistance offices as the result of a settlement agreement that resolves a three-year old lawsuit compelling compliance with the federal National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).

Election Reforms to Drive Turnout

Nov 20 2009

As part of our Shared Multi-State Agenda, the Progressive States Network is working with legislators, advocates and leading experts to promote election reforms that drive voter turnout in states across the country - just in time for the coming 2010 and 2012 election years.

California Governor Signs Law to Boost Young Voter Participation

Oct 22 2009

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed legislation, AB 30, allowing the pre-registration of 17-year-olds in the state of California. The state joins seven others that allow pre-registration at either 17 or 16. This follows close on the heels of North Carolina, which made their pre-registration age 16 over the summer. As with campaigns in other states, students themselves were the most persuasive advocates for pre-registration.

Bipartisan Committee Forms to Push for Voter Registration Modernization

Sep 03 2009

Perhaps signaling a new phase in efforts to modernize the country's antiquated voter registration systems, a new group of unlikely bedfellows has come together to help win support for an overhaul that would put government in charge of proactively registering voters, and allowing voter registrations to be portable within states. Spearheaded by two former general counsels of presidential campaigns, Trevor Potter (McCain 2000 & 2008) and Marc Elias (John Kerry 2004), the Committee to Modernize Voter Registration (CMVR) plans to promote registration modernization and be a resource for those on Capitol Hill.

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