Voting is the bedrock of our democracy. In a government of, by and for the people, casting a ballot is the fundamental means through which we all have a say in the political decisions that affect our lives. Yet today, without substantial interventions, the freedom to vote is at great risk.
Across the country, state legislatures in recent years have deliberately altered policies to make it harder for citizens to cast a ballot—disproportionately affecting voters of color, low-income voters, young voters, and other vulnerable groups. Our system of election administration—a patchwork of rules and requirements that vary by state—is outdated, with far too many eligible voters encountering unnecessary barriers to registration, waiting hours to cast their vote, or having their vote rejected because of administrative errors, polling place confusion or other errors.