Welcome to The Markup, our weekly insights and analysis of the latest in election law and policy.
We are tracking 1,821 bills so far this session across 44 states and Washington, D.C., with 326 bills that restrict voter access or election administration and 898 bills that improve voter access or election administration.
RESTRICTING VOTER ACCESS OR ELECTION ADMINISTRATION
North Carolina legislature overrides governor’s veto in partisan power grab, puts ballot initiative requiring photo ID for mail voters on 2026 ballot.
The North Carolina legislature overrode the governor’s veto to enact S.B. 382, which shifts authority to make appointments to the State Board of Elections from the governor to the state auditor. This comes after the state courts blocked 2023’s S.B. 749, a bill that would have shifted appointment power from the governor to the state legislature.
The North Carolina legislature also passed S.B. 921, proposing a constitutional amendment which would enshrine into the state constitution a requirement that all voters, not just those voting in person, provide a photo ID to vote. This would extend the constitution’s existing requirement that in-person voters provide ID to additionally cover mail voters. Most mail voters are already required to provide a copy of an ID under current statute. The amendment will be on the ballot in November 2026.
Michigan lawmakers propose proof of citizenship constitutional amendment.
Republican legislators in Michigan unveiled a proposed constitutional amendment to require proof of citizenship for voter registration. Texas, Ohio, Missouri, and other states have similar proposals set to be considered in next year’s legislative sessions.
IMPROVING VOTER ACCESS OR ELECTION ADMINISTRATION
Michigan lawmakers advance bill providing voting information upon release from prison.
The Michigan Senate passed S.B. 835, a bill that directs corrections officials to provide voter registration information to citizens being released from incarceration. The bill now goes to the House for consideration.
New Jersey advances John Lewis Voter Empowerment Act.
The Assembly State and Local Government Committee passed A.B. 4083, the “John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey. The bill aims to eliminate barriers to voter registration and provide equitable access to voting for protected classes of voters, including a preclearance process where certain jurisdictions would require approval from the attorney general to make changes to election policies. Now the bill advances to the Assembly Committee on Oversight, Reform, and Federal Relations for approval.
ON OUR RADAR
Ohio Senate passes bill expanding post-election audits, improving voter registration at the DMV, and increasing attorney general’s power over ballot initiatives.
The Ohio Senate passed H.B. 74, a bill expanding the state’s audit process to require local boards of elections to conduct post-election audits after all elections. Additionally, the bill would give voters the option of automatically updating their registration when they change their address at the DMV and grant the state attorney general the discretion to review ballot initiative titles.
Nevada implements blockchain technology to improve election certification security.
Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar announced the integration of blockchain technology into the state’s election certification process for presidential elections. The technology was used in this year’s Certificate of Ascertainment, signed by the governor and the secretary of state, to ensure the document’s authenticity and reduce the risk of fraud. The move follows an attempt by certain individuals to file false certificates following the 2020 presidential election.
This update is powered by VRL’s State Voting Rights Tracker: tracker.votingrightslab.org