U.S. state-level voting regulation changes

Republican-led states have implemented numerous new voting laws, many of which mirror federal proposals such as national voter ID requirements and proof-of-citizenship mandates. These legislative shifts follow intense scrutiny regarding the 2020 presidential election, with the American Civil Liberties Union’s Voting Rights Project noting a trend toward making it more difficult for eligible citizens to cast ballots.

Specific regulatory changes include the disqualification of student IDs for voting in New Hampshire and increased information requirements for mail-in ballot envelopes in Utah. In South Dakota, first-time registrants must present specific identification in person and provide documentation to prove citizenship; failure to do so may restrict voters to participating only in federal elections. Meanwhile, in San Diego County, California, residents must meet specific registration deadlines to receive mail-in ballots.

Following the inability of Senate Republicans to pass the SAVE America Act, the focus has shifted to state-level ballot measures. In 11 states, voters will decide on measures that implement core provisions of the Act, such as requiring photo identification and proof of citizenship for federal election registration. In Arizona and California, measures combine voter ID requirements with safeguards against noncitizen voting. Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, South Dakota, and West Virginia will vote on measures to ban noncitizen voting, while Nevada, North Carolina, and Ohio will hold votes specifically regarding voter ID requirements. These efforts follow a federal court ruling declaring a 1996 federal ban on noncitizen voting unconstitutional, with the judge asserting that states hold the authority to set voter qualifications.