Officially bipartisan; nonpartisan in practice

All states, territories & possessions are members

No state-level lobbying or positions

No active lobbying on election issues in Congress

50-state research on elections topics, Canvass

newsletter, standing committee on elections

Voter ID

› Voter suppression vs. voter fraud

› Lots of rhetoric, minimal evidence

Reduction of early voting

Proof of citizenship

Candidate birth certificates

Regulating 3rd party registration drives

2001 - 2010

› At least 7 states implemented new early voting programs or

made pilot programs permanent

› 11 states added weekend days, expanded hours, or offered EV at

more locations

2011

› 7 states shortened early voting periods & some eliminated

weekend EV

No Requirement (36)

Non-Photo ID (10)

Photo ID (4)

No Requirement (23)

Non-Photo ID (19)

Photo ID (6)

Strict Photo ID (2)

*

No Law or Legislation (3)Existing Law (22)Enacted Legislation (8)Failed/Vetoed Legislation (7)Pending Legislation (10)

No Requirement (19)

Non-Photo ID (16)

Photo ID (7)

Strict Photo ID (8)

Enacted Introduced

2003 7 15

2007 14 27

2011 15 21

10 states + DC had September primaries

› 6 + DC have moved state primary to an earlier date

New York will see a new primary date soon

MA, TX could still see primary date changes

CO, GA & OK - earlier (not MOVE-related)

CA, DC, MD & NJ - consolidated state/presidential

MOVE compliance

› Slower than HAVA compliance was

Tinkering with the Electoral College

› Always lots of bills, but few enactments

› National Popular Vote has changed that

› Keep an eye on NPV in 2012

Voter ID

MOVE compliance

National Popular Vote

Voter registration

› Proof of citizenship

› Election Day registration

› Paperless registration