• Brennan Center »
• Democracy »
• Voting Rights & Elections »
• Voter Registration

Voter Registration

Removing barriers

Although many barriers to voting—like property requirements, literacy tests, and poll taxes—are no longer constitutional, for many eligible citizens, voter registration continues to be a significant obstacle. More than a quarter of voting-age Americans are not registered and thus cannot vote. Voter registration drives conducted by nonpartisan, nonprofit organizations have dramatically increased voter registration rates among groups that have traditionally faced the greatest barriers to voting, including low-income, minority, and young voters. Unfortunately, instead of supporting such efforts, in the past few years a number of states have passed, and others are considering, laws and regulations shutting down or seriously restricting voter registration drives.

The Brennan Center engages in litigation, legislative drafting, and advocacy to remove unnecessary barriers to voter registration drives and to ensure that any regulation of those drives serves voters and protects First Amendment rights. In 2006, the Brennan Center successfully challenged restrictive laws in Florida and Ohio. We also helped to defeat efforts to restrict drives in other states.

Expanding access

Our ultimate goal is universal voter registration, with the government taking responsibility for ensuring that every eligible citizen is registered to vote in the correct jurisdiction, rather than placing the responsibility on individuals. We will soon release a report detailing several ways to achieve that ideal.

A key step toward universal registration is Election Day registration, where eligible citizens have the opportunity to register and vote on Election Day. In 43 states, citizens must register well in advance of Election Day, before media coverage really heats up and before candidates seek to educate or engage most citizens in the election. These early deadlines act to exclude eligible citizens who would otherwise be eager to vote. Election Day registration boots turnout by approximately 5–7 points in those states that allow eligible citizens to register on Election Day—with a decreased dependence on provisional ballots and without any reported increase in voter fraud.

The Brennan Center provides research, public education, advocacy, litigation, and legislative counseling for government officials and advocates promoting Election Day Registration. Our efforts have contributed to efforts to establish Election Day registration in at least five different states.