Many states look to make voting easier
MSNBC - Recent years have seen a seemingly endless stream of efforts in GOP-controlled states across the country to make voting harder, many of which have gained national attention...
Recent years have seen a seemingly endless stream of efforts in GOP-controlled states across the country to make voting harder, many of which have gained national attention. But a new report suggests that in fact, the broader momentum may quietly be moving in the opposite direction—toward greater, not less, access to the ballot.
Just since the start of the year, at least 190 expansive voting bills have been introduced in 31 states, according to a new roundup released Thursday by the Brennan Center for Justice. That’s compared to at least 49 restrictive bills introduced or carried over from last year, in 19 states.
Adding to the momentum are the bipartisan legislation introduced in Congress last month to strengthen the Voting Rights Act, and a report released recently by a presidential panel with several well-received ideas on how to make the voting process more efficient.
“For years, partisans have moved swiftly to restrict the right to vote. Now, given new momentum, there is a key opportunity to transform voting in America,”Myrna Pérez, deputy director of the Brennan Center’s Democracy Program, said in a statement. “We will continue to monitor efforts that make it harder to vote. But it is encouraging to see so many important leaders embrace the need to fix voting.”
Is the tide turning?
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