Welcome to The Markup, our weekly insights and analysis of the latest in election law and policy.
We are tracking 903 bills this session across 47 states. Our analysis finds that 381 bills improve voter access or election administration and 229 bills restrict voter access or election administration.
IMPROVING VOTER ACCESS OR ELECTION ADMINISTRATION
Mississippi Senate passes in-person early voting bill.
The Mississippi Senate passed S.B. 2654 in a bipartisan, 39-12 vote. The bill would establish a two-week, in-person early voting period. Mississippi is one of only three states without in-person early voting. The bill – which Gov. Tate Reeves has criticized – now goes to the House for consideration.
RESTRICTING VOTER ACCESS OR ELECTION ADMINISTRATION
Arizona governor vetoes bill restricting return of mail ballots; House advances measures to end in-person early voting.
Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed H.B. 2703, a bill which would limit where ballots can be returned and require voters who return mail ballots after the Friday before Election Day to provide photo ID. The House adopted a version of this proposal that could go before voters in 2026 without the possibility of a gubernatorial veto.
The Arizona House also passed H.B. 2017 and H.C.R. 2002, which would eliminate in-person early voting, ban countywide voting centers, and limit the size of precincts. Both are headed to the Senate for consideration.
Wyoming Senate passes documentary proof of citizenship bill.
The Wyoming Senate passed S.B. 190, which would require voter registration applicants to present documentary proof of citizenship. The bill heads to the House – which passed a similar bill earlier this year – for further consideration. Seventeen states are considering similar requirements.
Indiana House passes bill requiring proof of citizenship for certain voters.
The Indiana House passed H.B. 1680, which would require individuals who registered to vote using an ID number from a temporary credential (such as a driver’s license issued while they were on a visa) provide documentary proof of citizenship. These citizens would be required to provide documentary proof of citizenship within 30 days of receiving notice or their registration application would be rejected. Under current law, these citizens only need to attest under penalty of perjury that they are a citizen. The bill goes next to the Senate for consideration.
Oklahoma House committee advances bill to remove student IDs as voter ID.
The Oklahoma House Committee on Elections and Ethics advanced H.B. 1007, which would prohibit the use of student ID cards as voter ID. This is part of a growing trend: Ohio and Idaho recently removed student ID cards as acceptable voter ID and New Hampshire and Wyoming are considering similar bills.
ON OUR RADAR
Arizona legislature set to consider broad range of voting bills.
House and Senate committees are expected to hear a number of election bills, including bills granting the legislature new ongoing authority over election procedures; limiting the return of mail ballots; making voters’ personal information available online; and removing voters from the permanent mail voter list, among other changes.
Federal election security team put on leave.
Seventeen officials with the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) – responsible for election security and election worker safety – were placed on administrative leave last week. CISA provides valuable information and training to state and local election officials across the country.
This update is powered by VRL’s State Voting Rights Tracker. To receive in-depth analysis each month, subscribe to The Lever.