New Project Vote Policy Paper: Early Voting

Project Vote's map of early and absentee voting, 2013.

Last month, Project Vote released their latest policy paper, this one on Early Voting. Although voting has traditionally taken place on a single Election Day, in recent years many states have expanded opportunities to vote before Election Day--generally to accommodate voter schedules and in the hopes of increasing turnout. 

Early voting allows voters to cast their ballots in person but at alternative times and locations, in addition to on Election Day at their traditional polling place. It is now in use in 30 states, as well as the District of Columbia. Some states also offer no-excuse absentee voting, allowing voters to fill out and mail or deliver a ballot before Election Day--without having to provide a reason for voting absentee.

In the 2012 election, early voting and absentee voting together accounted for 30% or more of all votes cast in 21 of the states. In Florida, about 50% of ballots were cast early.

Read the policy paper for more information.

Minnesota Voters Can Now Register Online

Yesterday, the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State announced voters can now register to vote (or update their information) online and that military and overseas voters will be able to apply online for an absentee ballot at mnvotes.org.

The Secretary of State's office touted the online registration process as a way to "deliver convenience to voters, reduce errors in voter rosters, and deliver significant cost- and time-savings for local election officials." They estimate the time counties require to process an online application will be one-third to one-half of that needed to process a paper application. This will also minimize inaccurate records that stem from processing handwritten paper forms--like illegible handwriting, incomplete applications, and data entry errors.

For military and overseas voters, the online absentee ballot application will not replace paper applications, but will allow these voters the opportunity to forgo printing, scanning forms, and returning forms by mail, fax or email. In the 2012 general election, there were 10,506 absentee ballots successfully cast by military and overseas Minnesota voters.

Minnesota joins 18 other states that have either passed or implemented online registration. According to projections by the Pew Charitable Trusts at least half of the states will employ online registration by 2016.

In Minnesota, more than 35 municipalities will hold elections on November 5 for various city officers, and 113 school districts will hold elections for school board members and/or have ballot questions. Voters can register online until 5 p.m. on October 15, but it is not required, as voters may still register at their polling place on Election Day.

Florida Set to Overhaul Elections

It seems Florida will once again be making changes to its election law: the Senate passed HB 7013 that Governor Rick Scott has indicated he will sign.

The bill counteracts much of the 2011 law that truncated early voting, changed provisional ballot rules, and stiffened rules on voter registration. These changes--combined with record turnout and a particularly lengthy ballot--meant that some Floridians waited in line six hours to vote on November 6th. HB 7013 seeks to improve the election experience by:

• Increasing the number of early voting days and the hours allowed each day. Supervisors of elections must offer at least 64 hours of early voting over the course of 8 days, with a minimum of 8 hours each day, but may offer up to 168 hours over 14 days, with 12 hours each day--allowing once again for the possibility of Souls to the Polls on the Sunday before Election Day.
• Expanding possible early voting locations. Elections supervisors may now hold early voting at civic centers, convention centers, county commission buildings courthouses, fairgrounds, and government-owned community centers, and government-owned senior centers. Currently, early voting can only be held at supervisors' offices, city halls, or public libraries. 
• Allowing new county residents to change their addresses at the polls on Election Day and vote by regular ballots rather than provisional ballots. 
• Allowing absentee voters who forget to sign a ballot to correct their mistake. Thousands of unsigned ballots were invalidated in 2012.
• Limiting Legislature-proposed amendment ballot summaries to 75 words or less. (The word limit can be exceeded if summaries need to be rewritten because the Supreme Court strikes them down for being misleading.)

If signed by Governor Scott, the law will take effect January 1, 2014 and applying these changes ahead of the next midterm election.

The 2012 Election is Underway!

With early voting underway in 35 states, the 2012 presidential election is officially underway! While the current majority of early voting is taking place via absentee ballot, seven states already have in-person polling stations up and running.

With just weeks to go before November 6th, it's critical that nonprofits keep this election in the spotlight. Use your communications to share election information, deadlines, and reminders.

In 2008 about 33% of votes were cast before Election Day and in 2012 that number could top 40%. Learn about early voting options--both in-person and by mail--in your state. Request your absentee ballot.

Although balloting is underway, voters can still register to vote in most states. Check your state's registration deadline and make sure your community is registered and ready to vote on (or before) November 6th!

Four Ways to Promote Voting Now!

Election Day is just weeks away and your voter engagement efforts can have an enormous impact on turnout. Voter registration deadlines are fast approaching but early voting will be underway in many states before they've even passed. In 2008 about 33% of ballots were cast before Election Day--either by mail or in person. This year as many as 40% of ballots are expected to be cast before November 6th. The effort to turn out voters has already begun and your organization can help. Use the ideas below to engage your community and ensure everyone participates on November 6th!

1. Participate in National Voter Registration Day on September 25th and join thousands of nonprofits across the country as we register our communities to vote. It can be as simple as registering your staff or publicizing the voter registration deadline.
2. Support voting and order a free "Vote November 6" kit--it includes a poster, button, stickers, and a list of sample activities for nonprofits. Use the materials to spark conversations about the election and increase turnout.
3. Educate voters on their early voting options. Help voters request an absentee ballot or find an early voting location. Get more information about absentee and early voting in your state.
4. Register for our October 11th web event--Nonprofits Get Out the Vote! Countdown to Election Day--for nonprofit-specific get-out-the-vote strategies and a discussion with sector leaders.

For additional ideas, browse our list of 10 Things to Do Between Now and Election Day.

Partner Spotlight: U.S. Vote Foundation

The U.S. Vote Foundation (US Vote) is working to transform the complex domestic absentee voter process. Starting this month, US Vote will launch an online absentee ballot request process for all states. The site already features state-specific voter registration, election information, and a comprehensive election office directory. US Vote will help overcome the information and form completion barriers facing domestic voters to generate a complete absentee ballot.

US Vote is an initiative of the Overseas Vote Foundation (OVF), the leader in nonprofit voter services for overseas absentee voters. "It's rewarding to see that OVF's eight years of software development and voter services innovation will now benefit domestic US voters," said Susan Dzieduszycka-Suinat, President and CEO of OVF. "Given the hurdles that US voters face, an accessible absentee ballot request service is long overdue."

Connecticut Looks to Expand Registration Opportunities

On Monday, Connecticut Governor Malloy and Secretary of State Merrill held a press conference where they called for preserving and expanding access to voter registration.

The governor is proposing legislation that would allow for online registration (with a valid and current driver's license), Election Day Registration, and for absentee ballots to be governed by statute—giving legislators the power to adopt laws that address voters who cannot get to the polls on Election Day. The proposed legislation would also increase penalties on any effort to block or impede voter access.

In addition to helping voters register more easily, these reforms can help the state make registration more efficient and keep a more accurate voter file. Secretary Merrill noted that "Many states have already made these reforms and by taking these important steps forward we can include a younger generation of voters and expand participation in our democracy."

The proposals will be introduced for the legislative session beginning in February. Hopefully they can be passed and adopted quickly. Whatever the result, cheers to Connecticut for looking to expand voter registration opportunities!

Maryland City Considers Online Voting

Takoma Park, Maryland is considering allowing voters to cast their ballots online this November.

But before anything is decided, a system test will be conducted on June 9 where voters will be asked to pick their favorite Beatle and their favorite poet. For voters who are stressed about this difficult decision, rest assured that refreshments will be served. Here's how the system would work:

Voters would be mailed an envelope that contained, wait for it…more envelopes!

1. One (sealed) envelope would contain an absentee paper ballot.
2. The second unsealed outer envelope would be used to return the ballot to the city and would contain a third unsealed inner envelope.
3. The third inner envelope would have scratch-off codes that give the voter the option of casting their ballot online.

But if you want to return it by mail, that's okay too. All you have to do is put your "marked ballot in the inner envelope, which…will [be] put in the outer envelope and mail[ed] to the city"--the exact same absentee voting process used in the past.

Leaving aside the many inner and outer envelopes, would you prefer to cast your ballot online, mail it in, or vote in person?

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FVAP Poster & Slogan Contest

The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) provides U.S. citizens worldwide with nonpartisan information and assistance to ensure they can participate in our democratic process, no matter where they live or work.

Now, the FVAP is asking all U.S. citizens to help them gear up for their 2012-13 outreach campaign. They are soliciting ideas for a simple slogan that expresses the importance of voting and will inspire others to vote, as well as artwork for a poster that illustrates what it means to be an American voter anywhere in the world.

You can submit slogans and designs through April 8th. The winning slogan and design will be featured online, in the 2012-13 Voting Assistance Guide, on posters, and more.

If you don't have an idea, you can still participate! From April 11-15, the public will be able to vote for their favorites. Read the full slogan and poster contest details.

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Over Half of All California Voters Used Mail Ballots

On July 14, the California Secretary of State Debra Bowen, in a press release, noted that for the first time ever, over half the voters who voted in the recent primary cast their votes by mail. Specifically, 58.7% of all voters who voted, voted by mail. California is the third state to have experienced this phenomenon. All votes in Oregon are now cast by mail, and in Washington state in recent elections, the overwhelming majority of votes have been cast by mail. Read the press release.