In 2008, legislatures across the nation introduced bills that expand access to the polls, improve voter education and increase political participation. Many innovative proposals, from online voter registration to youth civic education programs, show great promise to transform the way our democracy works. The bills featured in this document are not “best practices” or proven successes, but they are a guide for legislators who pride themselves on thinking “outside the box” and developing creative solutions to our most challenging public policy issues. FairVote hopes legislators, activists and citizens across the country find a use for this review of some of the most promising proposals to come out of the states during the 2008 legislative session.  

October 19th 2009
Mandatory Voting? Automatic Registration? How Un-American!
Huffington Post

President of Air America Media, Mark Green, explains why Instant Runoff Voting, Automatic Registration and Mandatory Voting are not only important but could lead to a more democratic society.

September 30th 2009
Can a 17-year-old register to vote? It depends
Ventura County Star

"Most Californians register to vote not because a political cause has touched their heart, but rather because they checked a box on a form at the Department of Motor Vehicles when they received or renewed their driver�s license."

September 27th 2009
Giving teens a civic voice
The Fayetteville Observer

In January, North Carolina will become the third state to implement FairVote-endorsed youth preregistration.

September 8th 2009
Give voters final say on vacancies
Politico

The two legislators proposing a constitutional amendment mandating elections to fill Senate vacancies make their case in the pages of Politico.