Election Protection

SCSJ’s approach to election administration and protection ensures full access to the ballot and dismantles barriers to the vote. Barriers in the South include:

• requiring photo ID at the polls,
• restricting voter registration,
• limiting or cutting election budgets, and
• otherwise discouraging and disenfranchising voters.

In addition to providing county-by-county training to advocate for better election funding, more early voting options, and to count every vote, SCSJ lends legal support to previously incarcerated voters and others who might be targets for disenfranchisement.

SCSJ’s election administration work and policy advocacy focuses on protecting access to the ballot and monitoring legislative initiatives aimed at requiring photo ID at the polls, restricting voter registration, or otherwise disenfranchising voters. In addition to trainings on advocating for more early voting sites, SCSJ has provided legal support to enforce the voting rights of people with felony convictions or misdemeanors who are in jail or prison. 

SCSJ strives to link claims for equitable representation with claims for fuller participation by all people. For example, voter ID requirements hinder effective participation by numerous groups, including young people, the elderly, and people with disabilities. We also provide zealous advocacy in the redistricting process to ensure the fair and full participation of all voters. By demystifying the political and legal processes around redistricting, and providing models for more inclusive democratic structures, we hope to generate broader policy reforms that improve the democratic process overall.