Voter registration policies such as automatic and online registration work to determine the eligible electorate in each state, which is often unduly restricted before elections even begin.
Representation and Participation encompasses both policy and data points related to the electorate, such as registration and turnout rate, as well as tracking state primary election systems and voting rights for formerly incarcerated people.
Many voters still cast their ballot at a traditional polling place. The availability of early voting, restrictive voter ID requirements , and provisional ballot policies all have an impact on a voter’s ability to access the ballot.
As an increasing number of voters cast their ballots by mail, states that have adopted no-excuse absentee voting and full vote by mail elections allow more opportunities for participation. Other policies such as the availability of drop boxes also have an impact on access.
States that prioritize election security employ voting machine systems that include verifiable paper ballots, and also have systems in place for post-election audits to detect and address anomalies, and that can provide independent audits and verify results when election results are challenged.
These maps highlight state laws and policies that protect the vote and ensure voters are not disenfranchised, and that election results are accurate as well as protected from partisan or foreign interference.
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The term “sexual orientation” is loosely defined as a person’s pattern of romantic or sexual attraction to people of the opposite sex or gender, the same sex or gender, or more than one sex or gender. Laws that explicitly mention sexual orientation primarily protect or harm lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. That said, transgender people who are lesbian, gay or bisexual can be affected by laws that explicitly mention sexual orientation.
“Gender identity” is a person’s deeply-felt inner sense of being male, female, or something else or in-between. “Gender expression” refers to a person’s characteristics and behaviors such as appearance, dress, mannerisms and speech patterns that can be described as masculine, feminine, or something else. Gender identity and expression are independent of sexual orientation, and transgender people may identify as heterosexual, lesbian, gay or bisexual. Laws that explicitly mention “gender identity” or “gender identity and expression” primarily protect or harm transgender people. These laws also can apply to people who are not transgender, but whose sense of gender or manner of dress does not adhere to gender stereotypes.
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