- [Narrator] It's Election Day.
While it's unclear which races
Republicans and Democrats will win...
- It could be days, perhaps even longer
before we know the final midterm results.
- [Narrator] What is certain is that
this election looks different
for voters across the US.
- There are many laws in many states
that voters are gonna be having to navigate
for the first time this year.
- [Narrator] In the wake of the contentious 2020 election,
(people screaming)
rules have changed and more observers have been deployed.
Here's a look at how the presidential election
made a lasting impact and why some people are concerned
that the changes we see this year from voting regulations
and voting methods to poll watchers,
could affect voter turnout and the future of our elections.
At least 40 states have passed laws in the last two years
that either tighten voting rules or expand voting access
according to NYU's Brennan Center For Justice,
a public policy think-tank that tracks election legislation.
- If we're talking about whether it's become harder
or easier to vote, and I really think it depends
on where a voter happens to live.
- [Narrator] Since 2020, 28 states have passed measures
that would make it easier for eligible Americans
to register, stay, on the rolls, or vote.
In Vermont, all registered voters
will be mailed a ballot for the November presidential
and midterm elections under a law passed in 2021.
And in Kentucky, a new law established three days
of early in-person voting.
- [Jasleen] Expansive voting laws are recognition
by legislators that more access
means a more full, fair,
and engaged democracy.
- [Narrator] 20 states have passed laws
that the Brennan Center classifies as restrictive,
which can include measures that shorten windows
to apply for a mail ballot,
limit the availability of ballot dropboxes,
impose stricter signature requirements
or impose stricter voter ID requirements.
Among these are Arizona's HB2492 law,
which established a proof of citizenship requirement
for voter registration,
and Georgia's SB202, which requires voters
to provide an approved type of ID,
like a driver's license or voter identification card
when requesting and returning an absentee ballot.
Republicans say the changes were needed to restore
confidence among voters in the integrity of elections,
while Democrats believe the law is meant to depress
minority turnout, and that former President Donald Trump
and his supporters corroded faith in the process.
- [Group] Give our taxes!
- [Narrator] No evidence of widespread fraud has been found
in the 2020 election, but the unsubstantiated claims
have motivated some people to get involved.
While poll watching is a common feature,
where people monitor ballot casting and counting
for possible rule violations,
there are concerns that highly partisan volunteers
could try to intimidate voters this year.
- One of the features of our election system
is this transparency, the ability of people
to watch and observe,
but it also does create a vulnerability
if a bad actor gets in.
- [Narrator] Trey Grayson oversaw two presidential electionS
and two midterm elections
as Kentucky Secretary of State.
- We have to make sure
that the observers aren't intimidating voters
or doing something that they shouldn't be doing
during that observation process.
- [Narrator] The RNC says it has recruited
over 123,000 poll workers and poll watchers
in primary, general, and special elections this cycle.
The DNC said state level democratic parties take the lead
on recruiting poll watchers.
- It all comes back to balancing the transparency
of our system with not wanting folks to be intimidated.
We don't want voters to feel
like somebody's watching or will do something to them
and that causes them to not vote.
- More than 43 million ballots have been cast
as of November 7th, and there are signs
that this year's elections could meet
or possibly exceed 2018's midterm turnout.
It'll take until well after the election
when most or all mail-in ballots have been counted
before we get a full picture of voter participation.
- We'll find out if that's just a sign of people shifting
their voting preference
or a sign of high overall turnout.
- A recent Wall Street Journal poll
shows voter enthusiasm is high with 81% of respondents
saying they definitely will vote this year,
and 8% saying they already have.
- I'm gonna be looking for some of these new laws
that we're seeing in states, how they work,
how they impact turnout
and also the the poll watcher issue.
And then finally, I wanna see the results
of some of these election administrative races,
secretary of states and a few governors
that appoint secretaries
'cause that could have a tremendous impact
on the future of our elections.
(gentle music)