Helpful Links

Voter registration seems simple enough. HeadCount has signed up 150,000 voters since 2004. Yet, many experts agree that the majority of election problems stem from issues surrounding voter registration. It’s estimated that between 1.5 and 3 million votes were lost because of registration problems in the 2000 election. Since then there have been some improvements, but even with the passing of the Help America Vote Act in 2002, many problems persist.

The best solution is automatic and universal voter registration according to some respected organizations such New York University’s Brennan Center for Social Justice. California and Rhode Island have introduced legislation that would make them the first states to adopt this system. It’s a controversial idea, as some detractors warn that people who are ineligible will be erroneously added to the voter rolls and that states will have difficulty managing the massive in-flow of data. Others feel universal voter registration takes away individual’s rights to make a political statement by not registering to vote.

In addition to automatic registration, some organizations support other reform measures such as national popular vote for president, Election Day registration, early voting and vote by mail, or ending the 150-year-old practice of having Election Day on a Tuesday.

Voter registration reform is one facet of election protection, which constitutes broader efforts to ensure the right of every eligible American to vote. HeadCount partners with several organizations dedicated to election protection, including the National Campaign for Fair Elections and the Fair Elections Legal Network.

For more information about voter registration reform, check out these websites:

• ACLU Voting Rights Project – Works to protect the voting rights of ethnic minorities and historically disenfranchised groups.
• MoritzLaw.edu – Provides current information about election related topics.
• ElectionOnline.org – A project of the Pew Center on the States, this is a nonpartisan, non-advocacy website providing up-to-the-minute news and analysis on election reform.
• TruthOut.org – Various news and opinion articles regarding voter rights issues.
• ReformElections.org – A project of the Century Foundation, this site gives info on registration requirements, felony disenfranchisement, voting machines, election fraud, voter ID, etc. They offer information about current laws, practices and research regarding reform.
• NewAmerica.net – The New America Foundation supports and works towards innovative ideas to address the challenges facing America now and in the future. One important aspect of this is promoting Universal Voter Registration and Instant Runoff Voting, among many other political reforms.
• TrueMajority.com – A blog dedicated to the political power of young voters.
• CommonCause.org – An organization that offers information on many reforms, including voter registration. They offer suggestions for change & opportunities to take action.
• FundersCommittee.org – The Funders' Committee for Civic Participation is a resource for the philanthropic community encouraging civic participation; their website includes a regularly updated news section and resources to get and stay involved.
• DeclareYourself.com – A civic engagement group started by television icon Norman Lear maintains the popular user friendly website.
• RockTheVote.com – The well-known voter registration group’s website, which includes “Rock the Vote Radio” podcasts.
• SaveVoting.org – The Student Association for Voter Empowerment (SAVE) is dedicated to protecting the rights of young voters.
• Vote411.org – The voter information website of the League of Women Voters.
• CivicYouth.org – Statistics and research on youth voting trends.
• NewVotersProject.com – The voter registration initiative of the Student PIRGs.