NEWSWEEK: US Election Marred by Confusion Over IDs

BY KATE PLUMMER, NEWSWEEK — NOVEMBER 15, 2024 Calls to a voting rights helpline more than doubled on the day of the 2024 election compared to four years earlier, according to data exclusively supplied to Newsweek. Nonpartisan voting rights group VoteRiders said the number of voters who called or texted its helpline, which offers advice […]

THE CHARGE: VoteRiders helps UCF students get involved this election cycle

BY ERNEST COOK, THE CHARGE — NOVEMBER 12, 2024 As UCF students rode into this election season, nonprofit organization VoteRiders helped students and the community stay informed. VoteRiders, as listed on its website, is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization focused on voter information. The organization operates in eight states and assists voters with gathering information and ID recovery assistance. Taylor Ashlyn, […]

ICT NEWS: Troubles at the ballot box: Tribal IDs often aren’t accepted

BY MARY ANNETTE PEMBER, ICT NEWS — NOVEMBER 5, 2024 Complaints surface across the U.S. on Election Day that valid tribal IDs can’t be used, advocates say. Voters who hoped to use their tribal identification cards to cast their ballots are hitting roadblocks across the country, with some being turned away at the polls, election […]

SPL CENTER: Indigenous people face voting obstacles from past and ongoing discrimination

BY RHONDA SONNENBERG, SENIOR STAFF WRITER, SPL CENTER — NOVEMBER 1, 2024   Lori Wise and her husband moved from her home state of Oklahoma to Georgia in 1999, but she did not learn of her paternal Ponca Nation ancestry until 2018, when she discovered the identity of her biological parents and met her biological father for […]

LAS VEGAS SUN: Nevadans deserve inclusive voting system

BY LAUREN KUNIS AND JACOB SOLIS — NOVEMBER 3, 2024 Across the country, anti-democracy groups and politicians are rolling back access to voting for Americans. This affects eligible voters on both sides of the aisle and our shared democracy. Since the last presidential election in 2020, 18 states have passed new or stricter voter ID […]

GEORGIA RECORDER: Georgians voting absentee urged by election officials to drop ballots off at county drop boxes

BY STANLEY DUNLAP, GEORGIA RECORDER — OCTOBER 29,2024 Metro Atlanta postal delivery hub plagued by delays. The political landscape has shifted greatly since the 2020 presidential election when a record number of Georgians voted absentee during the COVID-19 pandemic. Four years ago after Election Day, then-President Donald Trump and his Republican allies sparked a wildfire […]

AFRO NEWS: Early ballots cast as advocates warn of voter suppression and intimidation efforts

By Megan Sayles, AFRO — OCTOBER 26, 2024 Early voting is underway around the nation ahead of Election Day 2024, set for Nov. 5. In Georgia, more than 1.9 million residents have already cast their ballots, representing more than a quarter of all voters in the Peach State. Martin Luther King III, son of the late civil […]

TEEN VOGUE: Trans Voters Face Barriers in Voter ID Laws. Here’s What to Know

BY TORI GANTZ, TEEN VOGUE — OCTOBER 24, 2024 This story was written by Teen Vogue’s 2024 Student Correspondents, a team of college students and recent graduates covering the election cycle from key battleground states. “It’s impossible to separate voting rights and trans rights.” Restrictive identification requirements and voter ID laws can make it difficult for […]

SAN ANTONIO CURRENT: Texas' plan to seek voters' citizenship proof could drop eligible people from rolls, group warns

BY SANFORD NOWLIN, THE SAN ANTONIO CURRENT — OCTOBER 21, 2024 With Texas lawmakers likely to debate a new law requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote, a top voting-rights group warns the plan could block “millions” of eligible people from casting ballots. A recent study by the nonpartisan organization VoteRiders shows that 1.3 million Texans […]

FORBES: MTV Is Working To Close The Community College Voting Gap

BY MEG LITTLE REILLY, CONTRIBUTOR — OCTOBER 16, 2024 There are roughly ten million people enrolled in community colleges across the U.S. today, which accounts for 38 percent of the undergraduate population, according to the American Association of Community Colleges. In the swing state of Pennsylvania alone, there are 15 community colleges and 80 campuses. Despite […]

TRUCHA: Unlock Your Power in the Valley Through Your Vote

STORY BY NINA ALEGRE, EDITED BY ABIGAIL VELA, TRUCHA — OCTOBER 15, 2024 Voting in the United States is vital for many reasons. HeadCount, an organization that registers people to vote and become interested in democracy through pop culture, lists some important reasons for voting: having a voice in decision-making, influencing policies and laws, holding leaders accountable, reflecting […]

YAHOO NEWS: Key swing states rush to ensure Hurricane Helene won’t upend the 2024 election

BY MIKE BEBERNES, YAHOO NEWS — OCTOBER 15, 2024 In North Carolina, a critical swing state that will help decide the 2024 presidential election, Hurricane Helene flooded polling places, shuttered election offices, disrupted mail-in ballot delivery, shut down communication systems and displaced millions of voters when it roared ashore on Sept. 27. Now, with the […]

YAHOO NEWS: How strict new voter ID laws in key swing states could play a deciding factor in the 2024 election

BY MIKE BEBERNES, YAHOO NEWS — OCTOBER 10, 2024 Millions of voters throughout the United States will face tougher identification requirements when they head to the polls next month thanks to a wave of new laws that have been enacted since the 2020 election. While experts say voter ID laws won’t be the most important […]

THE CHARGE NEWS: Students attempt to increase voter participation in Florida by teaming up with VoteRiders

BY SARA CASTILLO, THE CHARGE NEWS — OCTOBER 4, 2024 Volunteer UCF hosted “Writing Wednesday” Sept. 25 and collaborated with VoteRiders for students to write letters reminding Floridians about important dates this election. VoteRiders’ state coordinator said this was Volunteer UCF’s first partnership with VoteRiders, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that provides assistance around the country so that every […]

CBS17: VoteRiders group in NC helping voters obtain the proper ID

BY GREG FUNDERBURG, CBS17 — SEPTEMBER 28, 2024 RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — VoteRiders North Carolina Coordinator Jenny McKenney has seen firsthand the challenges of getting a proper ID for voting. “There have been delays with DMV’s due to staffing shortages and shortages of appointments,” said McKenney. CBS 17 has reported the challenges of getting a […]

BAPTIST NEWS GLOBAL: Christian nationalism drives voter suppression efforts, panelists warn

BY JEFF BRUMLEY, BAPTIST NEWS GLOBAL— SEPTEMBER 27, 2024 Any effort to suppress voter participation is a direct outgrowth of Christian nationalism, a panel of experts said during a Sept. 24 webinar hosted by Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty and its Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign. More than ever before, supporters of religious freedom and […]

MSNBC: ‘I Am a Voter,’ ‘Morning Joe’ reveal this year’s inaugural cohort of Democracy Heroes’

The honorees are trailblazers, advocates, organizers and changemakers around the U.S. who are ensuring all marginalized voters have a seat in our democracy. BY ALIYAH FRUMIN, MSNBC, SEPTEMBER 27, 2024 Democracy is not just a system of government — It’s an ongoing practice of engagement, service and action. And the 25 civic leaders on this […]

TIME: Democracy Defender Lauren Kunis, Executive Director of VoteRiders

BY NIK POPLI, TIME — SEPTEMBER 19, 2024 More Americans voted in the 2020 election than in any other in U.S. history. In the four years since, 18 states have enacted new or stricter voter ID requirements to cast a ballot, warns Lauren Kunis, the executive director and CEO of VoteRiders. “The history of our […]

NPR: Concerns about noncitizen voting drive sweeping new restrictions in New Hampshire

BY MILES PARKS & TODD BOOKMAN, NPR — SEPTEMBER 19, 2024 A new law in New Hampshire will require anyone registering to vote for the first time in the Granite State to provide documentation they are U.S. citizens, like a birth certificate or passport, a noteworthy win for conservatives who argue, without evidence, that elections […]

WUWF-FM: A photo ID is required to vote in Florida. Here's what you need to know

BY JENNIE MCKEON, WUWF — SEPTEMBER 17 Thirty-six states have photo ID laws requiring voters to show a valid photo ID at the polls. Florida is one of them. Ensuring you have the right ID, or even the right paperwork to acquire the right ID can be intimidating. That’s where VoteRiders comes in. Since 2012, the nonpartisan […]

THE HILL: 'Hamilton' cast records ‘Election of 2024’ to urge voter registration

BY ASHLEIGH FIELDS, THE HILL — SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 The cast of “Hamilton” has posted a video urging people to check their voter registration status ahead of National Voter Registration Day, which is Tuesday. The artists performed a song titled “The Election of 2024” and promoted the video in partnership with When We All Vote and VoteRiders. […]

COURIER: Threats to Free and Fair Elections Loom Large – But They’re Not What You Think

BY RICK WILSON — SEPTEMBER 13, 2024 I’ve been a Republican political consultant, communications expert, and ad-maker for over 30 years. To say I know how the sausage gets made would be an understatement. There is surprisingly little coincidence in politics, which means that the rise in voting restrictions is not an accident. It’s part […]

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS: New Hampshire governor signs voter proof-of-citizenship to take effect after November elections

BY HOLLY RAMER, ASSOCIATED PRESS — SEPTEMBER 12, 2024 CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire’s governor signed a bill Thursday that would require proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote and photo identification when casting a ballot. Under current law, those who don’t bring photo IDs to the polls can sign an affidavit attesting […]

MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL: Wisconsin voter ID law still causing confusion, stifles turnout in Milwaukee, voting advocates say

BY MOLLY BECK & RACHEL HALE, MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL — SEPTEMBER 4, 2024 Nearly a decade ago, Wisconsin traded its designation as one of the easiest places to cast ballots for stricter voting rules that set off a still-ongoing debate over voter access. The implementation of a state law that requires voters to show photo […]

KPRC Channel 2: Transgender voter concerns over Texas DPS updated ID policy

PUBLISHED: AUGUST 30, 2024 Ceridwen Cherry the VoteRiders’ legal director, explains what changes to DPS policy could mean for transgender and nonbinary voters. Watch the full feature on KPRC Channel 2.

ARIZONA MIRROR: SCOTUS ruling on citizenship proof for new voters has an outsized impact for Native voters

BY SHONDIIN SILVERSMITH, ARIZONA MIRROR — AUGUST 30, 2024 With the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that now requires potential voters to provide proof of citizenship with their state-created voter registration forms, Indigenous voting rights advocates want Indigenous people to know that they can still register to vote as tribal citizens. Patty Ferguson-Bohnee said that […]

ARIZONA REPUBLIC: The citizens who can't prove it

BY SASHA HUPKA, ARIZONA REPUBLIC — AUGUST 26,2024 Hi readers! Welcome back to Republic Recount. Remember that pivotal court case I told you about last week? Since then, the nation’s highest court has weighed in — and its order will limit Arizona voters’ ability to register without documents proving their citizenship. That could prove a barrier […]

THE 19TH: Anti-trans laws may complicate access to the ballot for trans voters

BY BARBARA RODRIGUEZ, GRACE PANETTA, THE 19TH — AUGUST 30, 2024 Advocacy groups are mobilizing to safeguard access to the ballot as states implement laws that could deter trans people from voting in November. In Kansas, lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union have drafted a letter reminding election workers that a gender marker on […]

CBS17.COM: Non-partisan group helps North Carolina residents register to vote

BY JUSTIN MOORE, CBS17.COM — AUGUST 22, 2024 FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) — A non-partisan group known as VoteRiders is making certain North Carolina’s new voter ID law doesn’t keep people at home this election cycle. VoteRiders is going to communities across the state, including Fayetteville, to assist people with getting a state ID. Organizers said […]

SAN ANTONIO CURRENT: Texas' new drivers license rule may make it tougher for trans people to vote

BY SANFORD NOWLIN, SAN ANTONIO CURRENT — AUGUST 22, 2024 A leading voter-education group said the state’s rule change will intimidate trans voters, create confusion at polling places. Texas’ newly enacted ban on people changing the gender listed on their driver’s licenses will create hurdles for transgender people at the ballot box, officials with a top voter-education group […]

DAYTON DAILY NEWS VOICES: Voting restrictions risk blocking thousands from voting – here’s how you can make sure your voice is heard

BY VASHITTA JOHNSON, OHIO STATE COORDINATOR, VOTERIDERS — AUGUST 22, 2024 In a few months, Ohio voters will head to the polls to choose between two vastly different visions for the country. However, many of these eligible voters will encounter a barrage of new and confusing requirements that could dissuade them from voting or even […]

FLORIDA PHOENIX: Post-2020 voter ID restrictions are getting their first test in November elections

BY JAY WAAGMEESTER — AUGUST 16, 2024 Florida is among the states that have ramped up voter ID laws since former President Donald Trump made false claims of a rigged 2020 election. November will see the first elections run under those new laws. According to VoteRiders, a voting advocacy organization, voter ID requirements have stiffened […]

USA TODAY: How a proof-of-citizenship voting rule may tilt a key swing state

BY MARY JO PITZL, USA TODAY — AUGUST 3, 2024 Court ruling blocks some Arizona voters, then doesn’t In a July 1 motion to the 9th Circuit of Appeals, Arizona’s Republican legislative leaders, joined by the Republican National Committee, argued the GOP would suffer a competitive disadvantage if the state continued to register voters who […]

BLOOMBERG: After the Fundraising Zooms Comes the Real Work

BY AMANDA L. GORDON, BLOOMBERG — AUGUST 2, 2024 Volunteers from a synagogue in Boston recently beamed in to a restaurant in Georgia to help people obtain the IDs they need to work and vote, an ongoing effort coordinated by the nonpartisan, nonprofit VoteRiders. On Monday night, the same organization had 220 people from all […]

USA TODAY: 12 states have new voter ID laws. Ohio's strict rules blocked 8,000 from voting

BY ERIN MANSFIELD, USA TODAY — JULY 30, 2024 More than 8,000 disenfranchised under Ohio voter ID law Prior to the new law’s passage, Ohio had a less strict voter ID law that allowed those who could not provide photo ID to use a utility bill or other piece of official mail to verify their […]

Debunking the Myth Surrounding Noncitizen Voting

BY COURTNEY COHN, DEMOCRACY DOCKET – JULY 9, 2024 These barriers disproportionately impact people in minority groups, especially voters of color, according to the report. “If there are elected officials who are concerned about election integrity, I hope they look at this data,” Lauren Kunis, CEO of VoteRiders, said. “I hope they fully understand the […]

More states consider voter ID laws amid conflicting research on their impact

BY MATT VASILOGAMBROS, STATELINE – JULY 1, 2024 For more than a decade, Republican lawmakers have pushed to implement stricter voter ID laws. Thirty-six states require some form of identification to cast a ballot, though laws vary by state over the accepted types of identification and requirements to vote by mail, according to the National […]

ID Bus Tour visits Durham to help communities register to vote

BY GREG FUNDERBERG, CBS 17 NEWS – JUNE 18, 2024 Syene Jasmin knows the importance of voting all too well. “I stand on the shoulders of my ancestors who fought for this and who couldn’t years ago,” said Black Voters Matter Field Organizer Syene Jasmine. The group visited several communities in Durham on Friday afternoon to […]

Preparing to vote? Don't forget this important step

BY CATE SCOTT, HER CAMPUS – JUNE 12, 2024 As the 2024 election rapidly approaches, it’s time to start making a plan to vote. When doing so, you probably know the main boxes to check, like making sure you’re registered and deciding what method you’ll use to cast your ballot. But there’s one important factor […]

Millions of U.S. voters lack access to documents to prove citizenship

BY SAM LEVINE, THE GUARDIAN – JUNE 12, 2024 If asked to quickly locate a passport, birth certificate or naturalization papers to produce proof of citizenship tomorrow, more than 21 million Americans – about 9% of eligible voters – would not be able to, according to the survey, conducted by the Brennan Center for Justice, […]

1 in 10 eligible U.S. voters say they can’t easily show proof of their citizenship

BY HANSI LO WANG, NPR — JUNE 11, 2024 Top Republicans are lining up behind a proposal to require proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration in federal elections. But for millions of U.S. citizens, it’s not easy to prove their citizenship with a document. About 1 in 10 adult citizens, or 21.3 million eligible voters, say they […]

The Center Square: Group helps residents overcome voting ID barriers

BY LAUREN JESSOP | THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR — MAY 7, 2024 (The Center Square) – The cards may be temporarily stacked against adopting universal voter ID in Pennsylvania, but that doesn’t make the issue moot for residents. Enter VoteRiders – an organization whose mission it is to fill the gap in the election process. […]

KWY News Radio: This nonprofit wants to make sure you have the documents you need so voter ID laws don't shut you out on Election Day

BY JUSTIN UDO, KYW NEWSRADIO — APRIL 30, 2024 PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — As voter ID laws continue to change around the country, at least one group is working to keep the American public informed — and to help people get the identification documents they need, for free, to vote in this year’s presidential election. “We […]

New Hampshire Bulletin: As lawmakers contemplate requiring voter ID, one organization is ready to help

BY: ETHAN DEWITT, NEW HAMPSHIRE BULLETIN –  APRIL 25, 2024  Sue Nastasi lost her birth certificate years ago. “Beats me where it is,” she said. But getting it back is not a simple matter. Nastasi was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, in a hospital that doesn’t exist any more, under a different name, she said. She […]

NPR: Why there's a long-standing voter registration gap for Latinos and Asian Americans

BY HANSI LO WANG, NRP — APRIL 2, 2024   In a pivotal election year, U.S. democracy continues to face a persistent challenge among the country’s electorate — gaps in voter registration rates between white eligible voters and eligible voters of color. For years, the shares of Black, Asian and Latino citizens age 18 or […]

Maryland Today: New Voter ID Laws May Stop Millions From Participating in 2024 Election, UMD-Led Survey Finds

Young Adults, People of Color Most Likely to Lack Current Government-Issued Photo ID BY RACHAEL GRAHAME ’17, MARYLAND TODAY — MARCH 26, 2024 A wave of state voter-identification laws threatens to prevent a massive number of Americans from casting their ballot in the 2024 presidential election, according to a recent University of Maryland-led survey. The first […]

CityBeat Guest Commentary: VoteRiders Helps Ohioans Receive the Proper Identification to Vote

In a country so rich in diversity in so many ways, these increasingly restrictive rules for acquiring a state ID threaten to disenfranchise a substantial number of citizens who want to vote. BY SHELLY JARRETT BROMBERG, VOTERIDERS VOLUNTEER — MARCH 7, 2024 “Family friendly.” Whenever I hear this term, I immediately think of the many citizens […]

Courthouse News Service: Federal judge mostly upholds Arizona proof-of-citizenship voting laws

While the judge allowed the laws to stay on the books, she did strike down certain provisions, including those requiring voters to put their birthplace on registration forms. JOE DUHOWNIK, COURTHOUSE NEWS SERVICE, MARCH 1, 2024 PHOENIX (CN) — Arizona can require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections, a […]

USA TODAY: In North Carolina, vote will be a test of new, tighter election laws — and of voters' faith

BY CHRIS KENNING, USA TODAY, MARCH 1, 2024 DURHAM, N.C. — On the last Sunday of February, a sea of sharp suits and dresses flowed out of St. Joseph AME Church. Worship was over, but early balloting in North Carolina’s primary election was still open. It was time to vote. The congregation had been fired […]

NC Newsline: Helping people with disabilities in NC obtain IDs for voting

BY: LYNN BONNER, NC NEWSLINE, FEBRUARY 29, 2024 People with disabilities are far less likely than non-disabled people to have drivers licenses, the most common type of photo ID people use in states requiring ID to vote. Nationally, 20% of people who self-identified as having a disability don’t have a drivers license, according to a survey […]

Democracy Docket: New Research Ahead of 2024 Confirms Voter ID Laws Impact Millions

BY CERIDWEN CHERRY, LEGAL DIRECTOR, VOTERIDERS, FEBRUARY 14, 2024 When Americans head to the polls this year, voters in 38 states — more than ever before — will have to confront a maze of voter ID laws that request or require a specific form of identification to cast a ballot that counts. Throughout my career […]

Forbes: Young People Are Fighting Back Against Voter ID Restrictions

BY LAUREN KUNIS, BRAND CONTRIBUTOR, CIVIC NATION, BRANDVOICE — DECEMBER 7, 2023 As a student at Arizona State University, 24-year-old Rebecca Tindle wanted to vote in the community where she attended school. But when she tried, she was frustrated that she couldn’t use her student ID to vote and by the constant questioning she received […]

Forbes: Celebrating Student Voting Champions On College Campuses

BY CATHERINE FISH, CIVIC NATION, BRAND CONTRIBUTOR — NOVEMBER 15, 2023 This week, the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) celebrated and recognized colleges and universities as well as students, faculty and staff, presidents and chancellors, coaches, partner organizations, and election officials for their nonpartisan efforts to engage college students in the 2022 midterm elections. These […]

Newsweek: Election Warning Issued Over Voter ID

BY KATE PLUMMER, NEWSWEEK — NOVEMBER 13, 2023 The number of voters who required support from a helpline to cast their vote in elections this year tripled, with a voter advocacy group warning that voter ID rules are “confusing.” According to data supplied to Newsweek by VoteRiders, the number of voters who called or texted […]

Washington Examiner: Ohio students say they never received mail-in ballot ahead of election

BY EDEN VILLALOVAS, BREAKING NEWS REPORTER, WASHINGTON EXAMINER — NOVEMBER 7, 2023   Ohio student voters, who are set to vote on the protection of access to abortion services in the state and the legalization of marijuana Tuesday, are reporting they never received a mail-in ballot. “We’re getting a large number of complaints that are really kind […]

The Columbus Dispatch: Don't forget: Ohio voters need photo ID to cast in-person ballots for Nov. 7 election

BY HALEY BeMILLER – OCTOBER 23, 2023 Ohio saw an uptick in provisional ballots cast during the August election as voters navigated a new photo ID requirement at the polls. Now, voting rights advocates and election officials are working to ensure fewer Ohioans show up without an ID on Nov. 7. Ohio Issue 1: What you need […]

Arizona Capital Times: Anti-democratic laws wreak havoc on ability to cast ballot

BY DANI DUARTE  – OCTOBER 20, 2023 Last year, the Arizona Legislature passed anti-democratic voting bills that wreaked havoc on Arizonans’ abilities to cast a ballot. This included House Bill 2492, which created a new restrictive proof of citizenship requirement for voters at the time of registration. One of the first of its kind to […]

Dayton Daily News: VoteRiders group helping Miami Valley voters with ID requirements, transportation

BY SYDNEY DAWES, DAYTON DAILY NEWS — OCTOBER 19, 2023 A national voter advocacy group is working in the Miami Valley to help Ohioans get the documents they need to vote in their local elections. A new voting law that went into effect earlier this year created notable changes to in-person and early voting. Voters […]

Augusta Free Press: ‘Stakes are too high to sit any election out’: VoteRiders works to remove barriers to voting

BY REBECCA BARNABI, AUGUSTA FREE PRESS — OCTOBER 16, 2023 All eligible Americans 18 years old and older have a right to vote, and a nonprofit works every day to remove barriers for voters. Lauren Kunis, CEO, has been with VoteRiders for two years. Because she is “steeped in and cares a lot about these […]

Daily Kos: Fighting Voter Disenfranchisement One ID at a Time

BY KATHLEEN UNGER, FOUNDER, CHAIR OF THE BOARD & PRESIDENT, VOTERIDERS — OCTOBER 13, 2023 Earlier this year, the North Carolina Supreme Court reinstated a restrictive voter ID law that had previously been deemed unconstitutional due to racial bias. This requirement will impact all voters, but especially low-income voters, young voters, and Black voters. As […]

Houston Chronicle: Hey, Gen Z: Texas makes it hard for us to vote. Fight back. (Opinion)

By Jessica Hulett, Houston Regional Coordinator at VoteRiders, and Zuanny Ibarguen, Houston Organizer at VoteRiders — OCTOBER 13, 2023 A ruling is expected soon on a federal trial challenging Texas Senate Bill 1, the state’s 2021 sweeping election overhaul that disproportionately impacts minorities and young people like us. In August, that federal court ruled certain provisions of […]

North Carolina lurches toward elections with voter photo ID

BY LYNN BONNER for NC NEWSLINE — JULY 25, 2023 Pamela Pearson knows that getting a photo ID for some people isn’t as easy as heading to the DMV. Pearson is the North Carolina coordinator for VoteRiders, an organization with a mission to help eligible citizens get IDs they need to vote. Getting an ID […]

Facing South: N.C. Supreme Court sets up tight timeline to implement voter ID

BY MAYDHA DEVARAJAN — MAY 12, 2023 In less than four months, voters in some of North Carolina’s biggest cities will be preparing for local elections. In addition to checking that they’re properly registered and researching the issues and candidates, North Carolinians this year will also have to ensure they comply with a new voter identification […]

Votebeat: A GOP lawyer said it’s too easy for young people to vote. It isn’t.

BY CARRIE LEVINE — MAY 1, 2023 Barriers including lines & voter ID laws present challenges for young voters Good morning, Longtime lawyer Cleta Mitchell, a leader in the conservative effort to shape election laws across the country, spoke to an audience of major GOP donors last month. She took direct aim at how easy […]

Dayton Daily News: First election under Ohio’s new voter ID law is Tuesday. Here’s what you need to know

BY SYDNEY DAWES — APRIL 30, 2023 The May 2 primary and special election will be the first in Ohio since the state’s new voter ID law came into effect, requiring all registered voters to show a state-approved photo ID to cast their ballots. The new voting law went into effect this month, creating multiple […]

The Daily Record Letter: There is help available to navigate Ohio's new photo ID law

BY KATHY HELMUTH, WOOSTER – PRESIDENT, LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF WAYNE COUNTY. APRIL 13, 2023 The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to promoting a healthy democracy. One of our activities is to bring information to voters about candidates, and about the voting process. To this end, the League of Women Voters […]

New Analysis: Millions of Americas Lack Forms of ID that are Increasingly required to Vote

Young people, people of color are less likely to have valid photo ID, showing potential impact of restrictive voter ID laws on these communities  COLLEGE PARK, Md. – (April 13, 2023) – The University of Maryland’s Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement (CDCE) and VoteRiders, the nation’s leading voting rights organization focused on ID education […]

Dayton Daily News: Ohio BMV locations to begin issuing free state ID cards today as new voting law starts

BY SYDNEY DAWES, SPRINGFIELD – APRIL 7, 2023 Groups work to help voters obtain required documents. Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicle locations will begin issuing free state ID cards to eligible people today, the same day the state’s new voting ID law takes effect. Voter advocacy groups continue to point to concerns surrounding Ohio’s voter […]

Dayton Daily News VOICES: Ohio’s new voter ID law is confusing, but VoteRiders is here to help

BY NICK RAMOS – APRIL 5, 2023 Over the next several weeks, Ohioans will be heading to the polls for early voting ahead of the special and primary elections in May. Unfortunately, because of a new law that took effect on April 4, hundreds of thousands of voters from across the state now risk facing […]

Cleveland.com: Ohio’s new voter photo ID law takes effect next week

BY JAKE ZUCKERMAN, [email protected] — MARCH 29, 2023 COLUMBUS, Ohio – A new state law takes effect next week requiring Ohioans to present a state-issued photo ID to vote, whether early or on Election Day. The effective date next week means the new law will apply to voters participating in local and county elections taking place this […]

North Carolina Supreme Court likely to overturn voter ID ruling

BY MADISON FERNANDEZ AND ZACH MONTELLARO — POLITICO PRO MORNING SCORE – MARCH 16, 2023 North Carolina’s state Supreme Court seems likely to allow a voter ID law in the state to go into effect, reversing a previous ruling from the same court after a years-long battle. In 2018, voters approved a constitutional amendment to […]

The Rockefeller Foundation: Building a Resilient Democracy, One Identity Card at a Time

BY: MASHA HAMILTON – MANAGING EDITOR, THE ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION — FEBRUARY 20, 2023 When a jobseeker shows up at the Waffle House in Columbus, Georgia, without an identity card, they call the Reverend Dr. Monica Spencer. They know her at the local crisis center. And in her doctor’s office, where she leaves her contact information. […]

Ohio Capital Journal: VoteRiders gearing up to offer voter ID assistance in Ohio

BY: NICK EVANS – JANUARY 17, 2023  The reaction was swift after Ohio instituted what critics call the “most restrictive” voter ID restrictions in the country. Already, a handful of organizations are suing to block to the new law. Others are gearing up to help Ohioans navigate the new reality by helping them get the IDs they need […]

The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Voter Id Law Stricter Than Election Rules In Other States

By Haley BeMiller – The Columbus Dispatch Under the new rules, Ohioans must present a photo ID when they vote in person Bank statement, utility bill, paycheck or government documents will no longer be accepted Questions raised if county veteran IDs will count Ohio’s new election law that takes effect this spring sets some of the […]

NBC News: HBCU students in Georgia face an extra obstacle in voting

  Under Georgia law, public colleges and university students can use their student ID to vote. But those at private schools — including seven out of 10 HBCUs — cannot. Dec. 4, 2022, 9:36 AM CST By Adam Edelman When Lauren Nicks, a senior at Spelman College in Atlanta, cast her vote in last month’s midterms, […]

The Hollywood Reporter: Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd, More Celebs Got Out The Vote In 2022 Elections

Members of the entertainment industry took to social media, participated in door-knocking campaigns in battleground states and hosted letter-writing Zooms to encourage voter turnout. BY ABBEY WHITE | NOVEMBER 8, 2022 2:04PM In the weeks, and even months, leading up to the 2022 elections, major names in Hollywood have encouraged voters in Los Angeles and beyond to […]

USA Today: As anti-LGBTQ rhetoric grows, voter ID laws create obstacles for thousands of transgender voters

By Cady Stanton USA TODAY Heading into a midterm election shaped in part by debates over LGBTQ rights and curriculum in schools, voter identification laws in some states could create barriers at the ballot box for thousands of eligible transgender voters Tuesday. Forty-three percent of voting-eligible transgender people who live in states that conduct their elections primarily in person […]

TIME.com: Millions of Georgians Have Voted. It Hasn’t Been Easy for Everyone

(TIME Magazine published a feature Nov. 7 with portraits of Georgia voters who have not had an easy time getting to vote this year. This is one of the portrait/profiles.) Keith Bowens, 56, Lithonia, Georgia Needed ID Keith Bowens didn’t realize he needed an ID to vote until he got a postcard about it in […]

them.: How to Vote While Trans: A Guide to Voter ID Laws, Trans Voting Rights, and More

BY QUISPE LÓPEZ November 3, 2022 The midterm elections come with an added weight for many transgender voters this year. Local legislators have played a crucial role in orchestrating the wave of transphobic legislation currently threatening trans youth and adults across the U.S. From bills banning trans girls from K-12 sports to laws limiting access to life-saving care, trans rights are in danger across […]

Ms. Magazine Op-Ed: Voter ID Laws Put Women’s Votes at Risk

10/25/2022 by LAUREN KUNIS If we want women’s voices to be heard this November, we need to ensure they can show up to vote with confidence, knowing they have the right form of ID their vote will be counted. One of the major stories of this midterm election season is the remarkable wave of women who are registering to […]

People Magazine: Celebrities Are Rallying Volunteers to Help Voters Overcome ID Barriers: 'It's Not as Easy as It Should Be'

Several film and TV stars have already hosted VoteRiders events, and more featuring Jack Black and Sarah Silverman are coming up as the midterms quickly approach By Kyler Alvord Yvette Nicole Brown, Jack Black, Sarah Silverman. PHOTO: ROBIN L MARSHALL/GETTY, RANDY SHROPSHIRE/GETTY IMAGES FOR THE ART OF ELYSIUM, DIMITRIOS KAMBOURIS/GETTY IMAGES FOR TONY AWARDS PRODUCTIONS Celebrity […]

Voter ID laws stand between transgender people, women and the ballot box

The 19th | By Barbara Rodriguez OCTOBER 14, 2022 — The full impact of voter ID laws on trans people and others remains difficult to measure. But voting rights advocates say potential voters across the country face an uneven patchwork of policies — and obstacles. More than 200,000 voting-eligible transgender Americans may find it difficult […]

Organizations like these give me hope for the 2022 Congressional Elections

WAMC Northeast Public Radio | By Michael Meeropol OCTOBER 7, 2022 — I live in New York State. It is a safe blue state. I have to travel out of state to work to elect Democrats who are the gate keepers against the MAGA fascists taking over Congress and Governors’ offices. There are people of my generation […]

A Thriving Democracy Is Good For Business

By The National Voter Education Week Steering Committee OCTOBER 5, 2022 — Companies have traditionally considered the interests of customers, shareholders and employees as distinct. Now, some are breaking down these categories and engaging with their full audience as a united group, with a common interest: voters. And this has never been more important. In […]

Committee of Seventy teams up with Phanatic, Gritty to encourage residents to register to vote

SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 —Michael Cogbill, VoteRider’s Pennsylvania Voter ID Coalition Coordinator, was interviewed on KWY-TV in Philadelphia for a National Voter Registration Day story about voter ID clinics that VoteRiders is hosting in partnership with the NAACP. View the original story here.

Snapchat Provides New Voter Registration and Awareness Tools Ahead of US Midterms

SEPTEMBER 8, 2022 — With the US midterms fast approaching, Snapchat has today detailed some new steps that it’s taking to encourage its users to vote, or register to vote, in preparation for upcoming polls. Snapchat has proven itself to be a key connector on this front, with the app’s reach to young audiences helping to raise awareness around […]

'Power of the Native vote' drives a campaign to register Indigenous voters in Phoenix area

SEPTEMBER 21, 2022 — Phoenix, Arizona — The Arizona Republic covers The Phoenix Indian Center’s voter registration drive where VoterRiders’ Danielle Duarte offered information about Arizona’s strict voter ID laws to urban Indigenous voters. Author: Arlyssa D. Becenti  Published: September 21, 2022 The Phoenix Indian Center highlighted the power of the Native vote this week with […]

VoteRiders Wants YOU (to Have Proper ID at the Polls): Interview with Selene Gomez

SEPTEMBER 21, 2022 — Amarillo, Texas —  High Plains Public Radio’s Jenny Inzerillo interviews VoteRiders’ Selene Gomez about complicated voter ID laws and the steps voters need to take to make sure they have the right ID to vote on election day. Author: Jenny Inzerillo Published: September 21, 2022 The voter ID laws change all […]

Arizona’s disabled community faces unique challenges on their way to the ballot box

AUGUST 15, 2022 — Phoenix, Arizona — Arizona Mirror details VoteRiders’ role in helping voters in the disability community by highlighting the story of one visually impaired Arizona couple who voted for the first time in 6 years after receiving voter ID assistance from VoteRiders. Author: Jerod MacDonald-Evoy  Published: August 15, 2022 Stephen and Mary […]

Aiming to get Texas voters to polls, nonprofit contacts Austinites

JULY 26, 2022 — Austin, Texas — Axios Austin reported on VoteRiders’ recent Texas letter writing campaign which put important voter ID information in front of 10,000 Texas voters.   Author: Asher Price Published:  July 26, 2022 Apparently it’s never too early to put voter ID information in front of Texans. Driving the news: Some voters […]

Forbes Guest Column By Selene Gomez

Selene Gomez, National Outreach Director and Texas Voter ID Coalition Coordinator, wrote recently in Forbes.com about the voting challenges faced by college students and what VoteRiders is doing to help them.

Dean Obeidallah's SiriusXM Interview with Kathleen Unger

Kathleen Unger, Founder and President of VoteRiders, was a guest on Dean Obeidallah’s Show on SiriusXM Radio on April 1, 2022. They talked about VoteRiders’ 10th Anniversary and the growth of voter ID laws around the country.  

Here's how voter ID laws could impact North Carolina elections

APRIL 7, 2022 — Charlotte, NC — WCNC-TV covered the voter ID situation in North Carolina and interviewed Pamela Pearson, VoteRiders’ National Voter ID Assistance Director, North Carolina Voter ID Coalition Coordinator and Deputy General Counsel.

Jacksonville woman receives valid ID, can now receive life saving medical treatment

MARCH 25 – JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — See the inspiring follow-up to First Coast Florida’s story about Dorothy Canning, who VoteRiders helped navigate the Florida DMV to get her ID so she can continue receiving her life-saving medication.    

Today's Edition Podcast: VoteRiders

VoteRiders Founder Kathleen Unger and Executive Director Lauren Kunis were guests on Robert Hubbell’s Today’s Edition Podcast.  

How Ted Nugent’s claim about voter turnout, suppression presents a false choice

JANUARY 26, 2022 – Put plainly, it’s possible to have more raw votes and voter suppression at the same time.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick Takes On Grassroots Voter Engagement Through New Initiative with VoteRiders

BridgeTogether is intended to fund organizations that are taking up the mantle of connecting with existing voters as well as disengaged or new ones.  

Florida League of Women Voters partners with VoteRiders

SEPTEMBER 27 – “Florida’s new law establishes new identification procedures for vote-by-mail. Those who want to register must provide a driver’s license, state ID, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. ‘Not everybody has those things. Certainly we know that you have to wait in line, it’s time resources, it’s financial resources. […]

The Obvious Voting-Rights Solution That No Democrat Will Propose

AUGUST 30 – “Democrats in Congress are considering a policy that was long unthinkable: a federal requirement that every American show identification before casting a ballot. But as the party tries to pass voting-rights legislation before the next election, it is ignoring a companion proposal that could ensure that a voter-ID law leaves no one […]

Democrats Are Now Open To New Voter ID Rules. It Probably Won't Win Over The GOP

AUGUST 28 –”Between the impact on nonwhite voters and the absence of widespread voter fraud, Democrats have not been shy about describing voter ID laws as racist and disenfranchising…But after a decade of taking their case directly to the American people, it appears Democrats may be softening that stance because the American people don’t seem […]

Why You Can’t Out-Organize Voter Suppression

AUGUST 2 – “Both nonpartisan and partisan groups have been trying to [‘out-organize voter suppression’] for years, or in some cases decades. And while they agree it may be possible to ‘out-organize voter suppression,’ it takes an intensive amount of resources and time that could otherwise be directed toward other efforts.”

Voter ID laws are probably here to stay. What can be done about it?

JULY 29 – Despite the fact that they’re expensive and useless, voter ID laws aren’t going anywhere, unless the Senate abolishes the filibuster and passes the For the People Act, or the Supreme Court decides to prioritize voter accessibility instead of lies about fraud. Even without that divine intervention, there are still options for politicians, […]

Here’s How You Can Take Action To Protect Voting Rights

JULY 27 – Whether you live in a state that’s at the center of the voting rights fight, or you are elsewhere in the country and want to ensure that everyone’s vote counts, we’ve gathered the most urgent volunteer opportunities in one place. In the months leading up to fall elections and next year’s midterms, […]

Voter ID laws pose significant barriers to transgender voters

JUNE 15 – To help trans and nonbinary voters navigate these rules, and in honor of Pride Month, HeadCount has partnered with VoteRiders to launch #TransPeopleVote. The initiative is part of the larger “Vote With Pride” campaign, aimed at supporting all LGBTQ voters.

Georgia absentee ID law has outsized impact on Black and metro voters

JUNE 1 – “Over 272,000 registered voters don’t have a driver’s license or state ID on file with election officials, meaning they’d have to submit additional documents to vote by mail under Georgia’s new voting law, state election records show.”

Crunch time for voter ID clinics as states tighten election laws

APRIL 27 – The complicated and costly maze of paperwork and online portals leading to official government identification, like a drivers license or state ID card, has taken on fresh urgency in the pandemic and as more states move to require official ID for casting a ballot.

Republican Efforts to Restrict Voting Risk Backfiring on Party

FEBRUARY 16 — Republican lawmakers in battleground states are rushing to enact stricter voting laws that Democrats worry could dampen Black and Hispanic turnout, but the moves could end up backfiring because of the changing face of the GOP coalition.

State Republicans push new voting restrictions after Trump’s loss

JANUARY 24  — Republican legislators across the country are preparing a slew of new voting restrictions in the wake of former President Donald Trump’s defeat.

The Ms Q&A: VoteRiders’ Kathleen Unger Talks Voter ID Laws and the Georgia Elections

JANUARY 6, 2021 — Kathleen Unger and her organization, VoteRiders, help to ensure onerous voter ID laws—which disproportionately disenfranchise people of color, low-income people, women and young people—don’t prevent voters from making their voices heard. — Published in Ms. Magazine Written by Roxy Szal and Katie Fleischer  

Eva Longoria, America Ferrera To Textbank for Latina Georgia Voters Ahead of Runoffs

DECEMBER 19, 2020 — The duo, through their She Se Puede platform, will join a textbanking event on Saturday aimed at educating Georgia voters on the state’s strict voter ID laws in preparation for Jan. 5’s races. — Published in The Hollywood Reporter Written by Kirsten Chuba

In Focus: Voter Education Organization Looking Ahead of 2024

DECEMBER 11, 2020 — VoteRiders CEO David Griggs talks about voter awareness and voter confidence and talks about why the organization is already looking to the future and the next general election in 2024. — Watch Video: Phl17

Puerto Rican Voters Could Flip Florida—If They Had ID

OCTOBER 29, 2020 — Laws on the mainland and bureaucratic breakdown on the island complicate voting for Floridians fleeing disaster. Fleeing environmental and economic devastation, an estimated 300,000 Puerto Ricans had decamped to the Alligator State by 2019, even before a wave of earthquakes racked their native island. — Published in The Daily Beast Written […]

The ID You Can Use to Vote in Each State

OCTOBER 23, 2020 — When Americans show up to the voting polls, more than likely, they will be asked to present identification. As simple as this request sounds, it isn’t always possible. There are a myriad of reasons why a legal registered voter might show up to the polls without a standard government-issued photo ID. […]

With DMVs Closed And Backlogged, People Who Want to Vote Are Struggling Even To Register

OCTOBER 21, 2020 — Even in states with relatively relaxed and progressive voting rules, COVID-19 is complicating the act of casting a ballot in unexpected ways, and presenting challenges few could have foreseen outside the context of the pandemic. — Published in Talking Points Memo Written by Tierney Sneed

Tampa Bay VoteRiders pays fees to help people get ID needed to vote

OCTOBER 16, 2020 — VoteRiders helps people not only get the ID that they need for voting but also so they can live their lives. Because you need ID for everything: you need it for housing, you need it for jobs, you need it for driving. — Published in The Weekly Challenger Written by J.A. […]

How Do I Vote on Election Day?

October 8, 2020 – Despite an anticipated surge in mail voting due to the Covid-19 pandemic, most voters will still be able to cast their ballots the old-fashioned way: by visiting their local polling place or other designated location on Election Day. — By Bloomberg Graphics

Broadway Stars Host Virtual Party to Educate At-Risk Voters

OCTOBER 7, 2020 – Castmembers from ‘Hamilton,’ ‘Book of Mormon,’ ‘Company’ and more are coming together to educate voters on ID laws in key states. — Published in The Hollywood Reporter Written by Jackie Strause

5 mistakes that can disqualify your November mail ballot and how to avoid them

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 – More states and counties than ever are allowing Americans to vote from home with a paper ballot mailed to their houses this fall.But voting by mail can be more prone to human error than voting in person, leading to mail ballots being rejected at higher rates than in-person votes.Here are the […]

Orioles Join Major League Baseball In Promoting Voter Engagement

September 16, 2020 – The Orioles announced Sept. 16 additional plans to support the Voter Up campaign, which supports Major League Baseball’s league-wide voter engagement initiative. — by PressBox

Appeals court: Florida can bar ex-felons from voting until they pay up

September 11, 2020 – A federal appeals court ruled Friday that Florida can bar ex-felons from voting if they owe court fines or fees associated with their convictions, even if they are unable to pay. — By Steve Patrick,Kent Justice, Mary Baer Published in News4Jax

How to vote if you've moved in the past 6 months

September 9, 2020 – If you just permanently moved, you should register to vote in your new state and make sure you have the necessary identification if your state requires ID to vote. — By Grace Panetta Published in Business Insider

Democrats Tiptoe Around How Loudly to Sound Alarm on Voting Risk

August 21, 2020 – Speakers at the Democratic National Convention this week had to walk a careful line between warning Joe Biden’s supporters of obstacles to voting and being so negative that they discourage participation. — By Ryan Teague Beckwith Published in Bloomberg News: Election 2020

Back to School with Maz Jobrani - featuring VoteRiders

https://youtu.be/yyuf6olZAIE Jun 2, 2020 This week, Maz Jobrani is joined by Kathleen Unger, founder and president of VoteRiders, who talks to us about the many hoops you have to jump through to vote, that women are still victims of voter suppression, and how you just can’t trust Congressmen in North Carolina.

VoteRiders 2020 Public Service Announcements

'We can’t afford to wait': coronavirus could shut out droves of new US voters

by Sam Levine Thu 23 Apr 2020 06.00 EDT Covid-19 is severely curbing voter registration across the US – which could have huge consequences in November In a typical election year, canvassers across the country would be beginning to fan out on street corners, college campuses, concerts and rallies to pepper Americans with a simple […]

Coronavirus, 2020 Election and the New ID Laws Are Brewing a Perfect Storm. Are We Prepared?

by KATHLEEN UNGER Published 3/16/20 at Newsweek Our nation’s campaign season isn’t just kicking off. It’s mid-swing. And as we get closer to an incredibly consequential election day—one ultimately affecting local offices, state legislatures, governorships, Congress and the Senate, and the office of the president—we must recognize and address the storm on the horizon. Many […]

Is America a democracy? If so, why does it deny millions the vote?

by Ankita Rao, voting rights editor in New York, Pat Dillon in Madison, Wisconsin, Kim Kelly in Philadelphia, and Zak Bennett in Miami Beach, Florida 11/7/2019 Voter suppression as a tactic – from strict ID laws to closing polling places to purging voter rolls – is deliberately making it hard for minority communities in America […]

¿Vives en un estado en el que tienes que presentar ID para votar?

by MÍLITZA ZÚPAN Published 9/24/2019 at Univision Noticias “Hay más de 25 millones de personas en Estados Unidos que están en edad de votar, son ciudadanos, y no tienen una ID con fotografía del gobierno, no tienen una ID del estado. Sabemos que es un problema porque si tenemos tanta gente elegible para votar pero no […]

"Voices for Good" Podcast interviews Dave Griggs

In this episode, Kristina and Allison of Independent Sector’s podcast “Voices For Good” discuss how racism continues to be a part of our politics, the advocacy efforts of Puerto Ricans, and the latest nonprofit policy topics including updates on a budget deal, 2020 census, political activity, and SNAP. Allison also talks to David Griggs, CEO […]

Ensuring Citizens Aren't Denied Their Right To Vote

Episode 332 of the Great Battlefield Podcast Kathleen Unger and Dave Griggs join The Great Battlefield podcast to discuss their careers in politics and how VoteRiders is making sure citizens aren’t denied their right to vote for lack of ID. The Great Battlefield · Ensuring Citizens Aren't Denied Their Right To Vote with Kathleen and […]

The Most Important Democracy Group You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

As one of the foremost election law experts in the country, you might think Professor Josh Douglas would be feeling gloomy these days. But his just-published book Vote for US: How to Take Back Our Elections and Change the Future of Voting is full of reasons to be optimistic about the bedrock principle of democracy – one […]

ID laws leave countless voters dizzied into inaction

by Kathleen Unger Published 3/2/2019 in Boston Globe: Letters  Tens (if not hundreds) of thousands of eligible voters nationwide are so confused and intimidated that they will not vote, even though they have an acceptable ID (or do not know that none is needed in their state). Further, contrary to the National Bureau of Economic […]