The Public Policy Project advocates for the effective advancement of civil rights laws at the state and federal level, working with other organizations as well as directly with legislators, federal agencies and the White House.
The Lawyers’ Committee has been at the forefront of advocating for necessary changes to our voting laws through advocacy, litigation and as a leader in the nonpartisan Election Protection Coalition. In the 2012 Presidential Election, over half of all problems reported to Election Protection were related to our antiquated voter registration system, problems at the polling place, and the misapplication of voter ID laws. The Lawyers’ Committee advocates modernizing our voter registration system so that it is automatic, permanent, and allows for Election Day correction. Moreover, voters in this past election were intentionally misinformed by individuals or organizations attempting to sway elections for a particular candidate or party. Voting reform should include increased attempts to prevent voter deception by organizing various task forces within both the federal and state governments, in addition to harsher punishments for those who would attempt to deprive fellow citizens of the constitutional right to vote.
As part of the Project’s work on voting rights, the Project works very closely with the Voting Rights Project on legislative priorities that ensure equality in voting rights for racial and ethnic minorities and other traditionally disenfranchised groups. This includes legislation that addresses the need for voter registration modernization; will address different forms of voter suppression like deceptive practices and voter intimidation; and will remedy the dismantling of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
Fact Sheets and Talking Points
Voting Rights Advancement Act (2015) Fact Sheet
