Issues

Voting Rights

Share This

Democrats have a long and proud history of fighting for voting rights that continues to this day. And while we've made significant progress in securing the right to vote for all eligible Americans, many voters still face difficulties in the voting process, from registering to casting a ballot to having their votes counted. Those often disproportionately affected are communities of color, young people, the elderly, low-income individuals, and disabled voters, as well as military members and veterans. In many parts of the country, voters are underserved by a lack of polling places, outdated voting machines, and unnecessarily complicated laws.

As Republican politicians try to make it harder to vote, Democrats are working to expand access to the polls. And we won't stop working to promote a system of elections that is accessible, open, and fair — a system that ensures that every eligible person can cast a vote and that every lawfully cast vote is counted.

To learn more about why voting rights matter, visit: www.votingrightsmatter.com.

Recent Updates
  • Heavy turnout in early voting shows importance of protecting voting rights

    While much of the nation’s attention is focused on November 6, the election has already begun in dozens of states that allow some form of early voting. As the numbers flow in, it’s becoming clear that turnout for early voting is notably higher than in 2008, particularly in key battleground states.

    Read More
  • With major victory in Ohio, voting rights momentum continues

    Just three days after a court blocked the implementation of Pennsylvania’s voter ID law, a federal appeals court has sided with the Obama campaign and the DNC, rejecting Ohio Republicans’ attempt to implement unconstitutional restrictions on early voting. As a result of today’s decision, when Ohio early voting locations open during this election, they will be open to all voters on equal terms.

    Read More
  • Today’s decision is a victory for Pennsylvania voters

    Today, we achieved another significant victory in our historic efforts to protect the right to vote when a Pennsylvania judge blocked implementation of the state’s restrictive voter ID law for this year’s presidential election.

    Read More
  • Iowa: Vote early, and be the first

    Early voting in Iowa starts today. Iowans were the first to stand with President Obama in 2008, and now, you can be the first again—by voting early and encouraging at least one more person to join you.

    Read More
  • LOAD MORE
Protecting the Vote The Real Cost of Photo ID Laws: Read the Report
Recent Action
Vetoing suppressive photo identification laws
May 26, 2011
Gov. Dayton of Minnesota vetoed S0509, a law that would have required government-issued photo ID in order to vote.
Vetoing suppressive photo identification laws
Gov. Dayton of Minnesota vetoed S0509, a law that would have required government-issued photo ID in order to vote.
Milestones