Posts by Doug Chapin

Brian Newby’s latest ElectionDiary documents the frustration that can result when an important document (a naturalization certificate) is needed for election purposes. Regardless of whether or not you like proof-of-citizenship, it’s a problem.

Congress is poised to move quickly on new legislation to require “I Voted” stickers in federal elections – and is promising to help pay for them, though the money may not arrive until after the requirements go into effect. [NOTE: APRIL FOOL’S :)]

A new study of registration outreach programs in Washington State finds that targeted mailings to eligible but unregistered citizens can increase registration rates nearly 50%.

The head of the New York City Board of Elections just slammed the City Council for deliberately underfunding the agency in an effort to make it fail. The accusation came at the same time the agency requested a huge budget increase. Smart? We’ll see.

A new report from the Minneapolis city clerk examines the 2013 mayoral election and makes recommendations about how to make the ranked-choice voting process cheaper, faster and more efficient – even as voters are divided on whether it should remain.

Florida’s latest election policy dispute involves vote by mail dropboxes in Pinellas County, which the supervisor says her voters prefer but which some policymakers are concerned is negatively affecting the voting process for voters.

The DOJ’s fiscal year 2015 budget request includes funds for dramatically expanded resources as the agency prepares to enforce voting rights in the new post-preclearance environment in the wake of last year’s Shelby County case.

A federal judge has handed Kansas and Arizona a victory in their fight to include proof-of-citizenship requirements on the federal voter registration form. It’s a decision that will almost certainly generate appeals and controversy in the coming year.

Alabama is moving forward on eliminating the outdated – and costly – requirement to print voter registration lists in the newspaper. Everyone seems to agree it’s a good idea – except newspapers, who will lose significant revenue.

Mississippi is upping the ante on outreach to voters without voter ID by offering free rides to obtain an ID at the state’s expense. It’s a vivid reminder of how far the implementation of ID has evolved in the last few years.