Welcome to the October edition of The Lever — reaching you in the harvest season. Our democracy is strongest when everyone has a voice.

It’s been a turbulent year for state voting rights battles in North Carolina. In this month’s Hot Policy take, we examine efforts to weaken voter access and nonpartisan election administration in that state this year, and what that could mean for the 2024 election and beyond.

Later in this issue, we spotlight early voting availability and how that’s playing out in real-time for the 2023 election. We share a story about successful bipartisanship on election bills moving in the Wisconsin state legislature, and also highlight recent and important work of our partners at Disability Rights Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired. Finally, we share a handful of key state legislative updates to watch.

HOT POLICY TAKE

In February 2023, our team identified North Carolina as the “epicenter of state voting rights fights in 2023.” From burdensome new voter identification requirements and laws that will lead to increased rejection of mail ballots and ballots cast by same-day registrants, to state legislative takeovers, deadlocked boards, and meritless mass challenges – it’s safe to say that the Tar Heel state has lived up to this prediction.

In this month’s Hot Policy Take, we take a close look at these changes, and what is at stake for North Carolina voters and election officials tasked with overcoming these challenges.

BY THE NUMBERS

541,131
 

As of 10/30/23, that’s how many Virginia voters have already cast their ballots in the November 2023 General Election, with 348,805 casting their ballot in-person and 192,326 casting a mail ballot — as tracked by the Virginia Public Access Project (site updated daily.)

Following the 2020 election, an onslaught of legislation has pulled the nation in two directions when it comes to mail voting access, but in-person early voting has been a bright spot in elections legislation over the past few years. Before the 2020 election, seven states did not offer any in-person early voting. That number has dropped to just three for the 2024 election, with four states from across the political spectrum – Connecticut, Kentucky, Missouri, South Carolina – creating new in-person early voting systems.

Check out our analysis for more detailed information on changes to mail and early in-person voting access.

WHAT WE'RE READING

In the wake of 2020, it seems likely that 2024 will be another hotly-contested election year of bitter partisan division – but in Wisconsin, one committee of state lawmakers are working together closely to pass election bills that boost confidence in Wisconsin election systems with bipartisan support. WI State Representative Scott Krug, chairman of the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections, has prioritized moving election bills through the state legislature that have the support of both parties.

“My ultimate end goal is to make sure 2024 isn't another 2020," Krug said. "Knowing the political realities we're in, we're not going to get a complete wish list of Republicans or Democrats. We have to find compromise.”

While lawmakers have had to work to resolve disagreements over the details of the bills, broadly the committee has prioritized moving bills that are likely to be signed into law by Wisconsin Governor Evers – and to put the fallout of the 2020 election squarely in the rearview.

FROM OUR PARTNERS - Disability Rights WI & Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired

A thriving democracy requires equitable access to the ballot box. Recently, our partners at Disability Rights Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired gave a presentation to the Wisconsin Senate Committee on Shared Revenue, Elections and Consumer Protection. This presentation included findings from the Wisconsin Election Commission’s June 2023 report, to which they contributed, Barriers Faced by Elderly Voters and Voters with Disabilities, as well as recommendations to ensure compliance with federal and state accessibility requirements and to support increased accessibility of the overall voting process.

THE MARKUP

The Markup is VRL’s weekly legislative update for voting rights insiders. If you’d like to get insights straight to your inbox each Monday, head here to sign up.

Here’s a brief update on what we’re watching this week, and a sneak peek into what you can expect from The Markup each week:

Arizona governor’s bipartisan task force releases election recommendations. A bipartisan task force on election law established by Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs approved a final package of recommendations, including proposals to better protect voters who use drop boxes from intimidation and restore the voting rights of Arizonans with felony convictions after they complete their sentences.

Michigan legislature approves bill that makes it legal to hire transportation to the polls. Michigan’s state legislature sent H.B. 4568 to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s desk last week. This bill, which Governor Whitmer is expected to sign, would repeal a criminal offense prohibiting paid rides to polling places.