Welcome to The Markup, our weekly insights and analysis of the latest in election law and policy.
We are tracking 1,801 bills so far this session across 44 states and D.C., with 318 bills that restrict voter access or election administration and 894 bills that improve voter access or election administration.
RESTRICTIONS ON VOTER ACCESS OR ELECTION ADMINISTRATION
South Carolina extends voter registration deadline due to Hurricane Helene.
In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, a state court judge moved the voter registration deadline back by a week to Monday, October 14.
Florida governor issues executive order facilitating elections following hurricane.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced an executive order to facilitate the administration of elections in 13 counties impacted by Hurricane Helene. The order gives county officials more time to designate locations for early voting, Election Day polling sites, and drop boxes by changing the deadline from 30 days to 20 days before Election Day, among other changes.
The order comes in response to a letter from the Florida Supervisors of Elections, an organization representing the state’s county election officials, requesting more flexibility in administering elections following the hurricane.
ON OUR RADAR
Georgia judge hears arguments in trial over State Election Board’s new certification rules.
Following a trial last week, a judge in Georgia is now weighing whether to block implementation of the State Election Board’s new certification rules that threaten the timely certification of election results. The lawsuit challenges two new rules: one rule allowing for an unspecified “reasonable inquiry” prior to certification of election results and another rule authorizing county officials to “examine all election related documentation” prior to certification.
Pennsylvania Supreme Court declines to resolve open questions on handling of certain mail ballots.
In a short opinion issued on Saturday, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court declined to hear a request to overturn the requirement that officials not count mail ballots received in an envelope with a missing or incorrect date written by the voter.
The state Supreme Court’s opinion stated that they “will neither impose nor countenance substantial alterations to existing laws and procedures during the pendency of an ongoing election.” The Court also declined to resolve the Republican National Committee’s request to prevent counties from allowing voters to correct minor issues with their mail ballot envelopes.
North Carolina legislature to convene for Helene relief.
The state legislature will convene this week to address relief for residents affected by Hurricane Helene, which may include changes to election rules. Karen Brinson Bell, the executive director of the North Carolina Board of Elections, will give a press conference today to discuss ongoing efforts to assist voters impacted by the storm.
This update is powered by VRL’s State Voting Rights Tracker: tracker.votingrightslab.org