The years since the 2020 election have been the most prolific for election law in recent history.

In the two years since the 2020 election, nearly every voter in the country has likely experienced some kind of change in their state’s election law – whether in how they register, the options they have to cast their ballot, or in how or when their ballot is counted. Likewise, election administrators overcame unprecedented legislative efforts to manipulate election outcomes and punish them for doing their job.

In our latest report, the Voting Rights Lab team details the changes to state election law that defined 2021 and 2022, shaped the 2022 midterms, and will affect the 2024 presidential election as new legislation is prefiled for 2023.

Digging in, you’ll find that our new report summarizes legislation enacted in both 2021 and 2022. We look at major and divergent voter access trends like early voting and mail voting. We cover interference with election administration, including the criminalization of elections. Lastly, we take a look at what’s coming – including a preview of prefiled elections legislation in key states. 

The difference between 2020 and today is huge. After studying hundreds of new laws, we also ranked which states are moving in a positive direction – and which ones are cutting back voter access and representation. All told:

• 28 states passed laws interfering with election administration 

• 22 states generally improved voter access 

• 10 states generally restricted voter access 

• 5 states passed laws with mixed effects on voter access

As this year comes to a close, it’s time to brace for another prolific year for election-related legislation. No doubt, we will see lawmakers seek to change the rules to advantage either the voters – or themselves – ahead of a major presidential election. The team at Voting Rights Lab will continue watching and interpreting the impact of their every move – stay tuned in real-time with our State Voting Rights Tracker. 

Sincerely,
Liz Avore
Senior Policy Adviser
Voting Rights Lab