This week, NewDEAL Leader Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon announced legislative priorities, which include automatic voter registration, increased protections for election workers and restoring voting rights for anyone convicted of a felony still on probation or parole. As this Governing piece points out, state legislatures nationwide are considering changes to their voting systems ahead of the 2024 presidential election, with Republicans in states like Ohio, North Carolina, Texas, Florida, and Georgia seeking to enable officials to prosecute perceived election discrepancies. Along with Simon, Democrats in Connecticut, Michigan, and Pennsylvania are looking to expand access to the ballot box. “I will work with anyone of any political affiliation, from any background, from any part of our state to protect and strengthen and defend the freedom to vote,” Simon said. For more, read this article about the potential impact of Simon’s priorities.

NewDEAL Leader New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver helped lead the effort to enact a new Voting Rights Act in her state during this year’s legislative session. Toulouse Oliver worked with community members, election administrators, and fellow elected officials to understand the needs in communities and enact “a huge win for voters” balancing voter access with “high levels of election security.” The legislation will streamline the registration process, including with same-day voter registration, and provide more options to cast a vote with additional secure ballot drop boxes. In addition, the new set of laws include expanded protections for election officials and a first-in-the-nation Native American Voting Rights Act to give Native American tribes and nations more flexibility in administering elections. Read more about the new laws here and check out more good election policy from the NewDEAL Forum.