Archive for 2015

Hawaii becomes the latest state to implement OVR – more than three years after enactment and almost two years after the City of Honolulu declined to assist. Still, the new site is up and running in time for the 2016 elections – a huge accomplishment for the state and a reminder that the path from enactment to implementation of election changes can take time.

On a day when speeches and proclamations celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, electionlineWeekly had a story about a Kids’ Art Contest in Washington State that demonstrates that the Act still holds a powerful message – even if it’s currently the subject of controversy.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has issued its ruling on the appeal of a lower court’s invalidation of Texas’ voter ID law. The opinion is extremely important but very complex, with numerous legal and evidentiary issues – but fortunately, UC-Irvine’s Rick Hasen has an excellent analysis that is perfect for legal and non-legal electiongeeks alike.

Californians convicted of felonies but serving their sentences in county jails or under community supervision will now have their voting rights restored after Secretary of State Alex Padilla dropped his predecessor’s appeal of a 2014 court ruling. Nationwide, however, the issue – with its strong undercurrent of race and partisanship – continues to simmer.

Hartford, CT has a new state election monitor with wide-ranging authority and responsibilities as part of the state’s efforts to keep the city’s elections on track after a disastrous 2014.

Florida’s Secretary of State is once again in hot water with county election officials after a recent audit revealed a number of issues with the state’s voter database. He has promised to improve communication – which he’ll need (and a lot else) to restore the faith of local officials still seething over his unsuccessful opposition to online voter registration.

Alaska’s Lt. Governor, a Democrat, recently replaced the longtime state election director with a newcomer to elections, albeit one with local government experience and a background hailed by native Alaskan leaders currently engaged in litigation with the state. [UPDATED FROM ORIGINAL TO CORRECTLY IDENTIFY CURRENT AND FORMER GOVERNORS]

The Federal Voting Assistance Program at the Department of Defense has released its 2014 report, which shows some gains in participation by military and overseas voters but also highlights areas where the work continues to improve both voter-facing activities as well as data collection under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).

A standing-room-only crowd in Richmond yesterday debated a proposal by the Virginia State Board of Elections to eliminate eligibility checkboxes from the voter registration form. It’s a thorny policy issue that strikes right at the heart of the access vs. integrity divide – but one that may become less intense as more voters register online AND might benefit from a better approach to design.

Alaska is currently considering whether to move forward with an initiative that would tie voter registration to Alaska Permanent Fund dividend applications. While the specifics are unique to Alaska, the plan is part of a new trend across America to link elections more closely to the everyday lives of current and potential voters.