Voting Rights Lab

Announcing our new Chief Executive Officer: Samantha Tarazi! As Voting Rights Lab's co-founder and former COO, Sam has been a primary driving force behind our innovative programs – we're thrilled to welcome her into this role. Learn more: votingrightslab.org/about-us

The Markup: April 14, 2025 - Voting Rights Lab Our weekly insights and analysis of the latest in election law and policy. We're currently tracking 1556 bills across 49 states.

This week in election policy: NC Supreme Court threatens to overturn the 2024 election results by tossing out military ballots. Read all about this and other updates in The Markup:

Welcome We document and analyze voting and election laws across all 50 states and D.C. Follow our detailed, near-real time analysis of voting rights legislation across the country.

Hey! We're new here. VRL is a nonpartisan state-focused org with a national perspective. Our comprehensive election policy analysis, research, & data provide uniquely actionable insights to partners & the public.
You might know us from our popular State Election Tracker: tracker.votingrightslab.org

Let’s be clear: This executive order attempts to wrap our state-run elections in massive federal government red tape—while handing Elon Musk the keys to sensitive state voter registration lists & systems. It won't stand up to the scrutiny of the courts or the American people.

Most election law is created at the state level. Trump’s EO represents a massive attempt to control who gets to vote and how our elections run. Our state & local election officials do not need a mandate that will create more chaos and confusion.

State and Federal Law Ensures Only Citizens Can Vote in U.S. Elections - Voting Rights Lab This fact sheet describes the current systems that ensure only U.S. citizens vote in U.S. elections.

States already have in place robust checks and balances to ensure only citizens vote. New bureaucratic documentary mandates will only create chaos and make it harder for eligible voters to make their voices heard at the ballot box. votingrightslab.org/2024/10/28/s...

Directing the Attorney General to prosecute state election law violations represents President Trump’s attempts to create a Florida-style federal election police. It’s an obvious power grab purely for political gain.

Our Constitution is clear: only Congress and the states set the rules for our elections. And Elon Musk and DOGE should be nowhere near sensitive data in state voter registration systems.

Here are the key EO provisions:
❌Impose proof-of-citizenship mandates on eligible voters
❌Hand over voter registration lists & systems to Elon Musk & DOGE
❌Get federal law enforcement involved in elections
❌Restrict mail ballot return
Read more: votingrightslab.org/wp-content/u...

President Trump's recent executive order seeks to seize power to try to change the rules of our elections for his own political gain. It’s a clear affront to our Constitution and the checks and balances that have secured our elections for generations. (1/7)

“Unconstitutional Red Tape”: Voting Rights Lab Responds to Trump Executive Order Power Grab - Voting Rights Lab Our response to President Trump's executive order seeking to impose restrictions on Americans' ability to participate in free and fair elections.

Yesterday, President Trump signed an executive order attempting to claim unprecedented, unilateral executive branch power over how our elections are run. Our response: votingrightslab.org/2025/03/25/u...