For Americans, the right to vote is considered to be a fundamental right and yet it is being threatened all over the country. These threats do not always appear to be sinister or nefarious and are often presented as commonsense reforms. Unfortunately, many of these so-called reforms have consequences that are preventing citizens from having their vote counted.
 

• Ben Hovland's blog
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Texas claimed this week in a court filing that a key provision of the Voting Rights Act should be overturned because it violates the United States Constitution. The state is currently suing the federal government to obtain approval of a law that would compel Texans to produce a photo ID before they are allowed to vote.  Texas claims that the strict ID requirement is necessary to prevent voter fraud. However, the U.S.

• Dan Vicuna's blog
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As we examined the Texas voter ID law last week, the numbers made clear that when it comes to voter records, some states need a good spring cleaning. For those of us who have grown up with computers, the solution seems simple. Modernization of voter data and registration information could lead to numerous changes which would have extreme upsides for individual states, as well as voters and the nation as a whole.

• Courtney Mills's blog
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March 22, 2012

Welcome to the FELN Weekly Redistricting Update. After a brief hiatus, we are back to provide updates on pending redistricting maps and lawsuits. Below you will find news updates for many key states. If you have updates to share – on federal, state and local redistricting plans – please email us at info@fairelectionsnetwork.com.

-The FELN Team

      Arizona

• Erica Evans's blog
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Many state legislatures are winding down but several are still looking at bills that would change voting laws – both for better and worse – that will have an impact on voter’s ability to cast a ballot. Here’s a rundown of what we could see this week.

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The Connecticut General Assembly is currently considering a series of reforms intended to make voter registration and voting itself easier and more accessible. Among the proposals, which are backed by Secretary of State Denise Merrill and Governor Dannel Malloy, is the plan to introduce so-called “no-excuse” absentee ballots.

• Erica Evans's blog
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A Nebraska bill that would have required voters to show a government ID before being allowed to vote died yesterday in the state’s unicameral legislature. Supporters of the ALEC-inspired ID bill failed to generate enough votes to end a filibuster by opponents. According to Nebraskans for Civic Reform, the Nebraska DMV found that up to 130,000 Nebraskans lack a valid ID.

• Erica Evans's blog
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