Voting rights advocates have been carefully watching state legislatures since 2010—when restrictive voting laws were widely introduced across the country. The 2015 legislative session has been interesting for both what has happened and what has not. At least 113 bills that would restrict access to registration and voting have been introduced or carried over in 33 states.1 Nearly half the bills are aimed at establishing voter ID requirements or tightening pre-existing ones, but only one has passed thus far.2 On the other hand, in the same period, at least 464 bills that would enhance access to voting were introduced or carried over in 48 states plus the District of Columbia.3 While fewer bills restricting access to the ballot box have passed this year than in prior legislative sessions, voting rights are, appropriately, still garnering significant public attention because of high-profile decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court and lower federal courts.
Decisions and Ongoing Cases
This term the Supreme Court issued several major decisions concerning voting rights. In Arizona State Legislature v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission,4 the court upheld an independent redistricting commission created by Arizona voters. In doing so, the court held that the U.S. Constitution’s Elections Clause should be read expansively. This constitutional provision states: “The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof….”5
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