Accessible Elections: How the States Can Help Americans Vote

This text explores the wide variation across states in convenience voting methods-absentee/mail voting, in-person early voting, same day registration-and provides new empirical analysis of the beneficial effects of these policies, not only in increasing voter turnout overall, but for disadvantaged groups. By measuring both convenience methods and implementation of the laws, the volume improves on previous research. It draws generalizable conclusions about how these laws affect voter turnout by using population data from the fifty state voter files.

The problem with voting in America -- Measuring accessible elections -- Why studying voting laws in not enough -- Accessible elections and voter turnout in the American states -- Accessible elections to help poor people -- Voting rights, election administration and turnout for racial minorities -- Accessible elections and campaign mobilization -- Conclusion: how the states can help Americans vote.

Most research on election reforms to increase voter turnout has downplayed their effects, showing that they generally benefit educated, older, and more affluent people. This book shows the positive effects that these reforms have on overall voter turnout, and among voters of disadvantaged groups. It emphasizes the ways that state governments are making it easier to participate in elections in an effort to strengthen democratic government. With important implications for the 2020 general election and beyond, Accessible Elections underscores how state governments can modernize their electoral practices to increase voter turnout, address electoral inequalities, and influence campaign and party mobilization strategies.