Cost of Voting in the American States: 2024

The evolution of state election laws continues to impact the ease with which citizens can vote. This study updates the Cost of Voting Index (COVI) for the 2024 US presidential election by analyzing recent legislation that affects voting accessibility across the 50 states. The COVI measures the time and effort required to vote, encompassing criteria such as registration requirements, voter identification laws, early voting availability, and absentee voting procedures. To keep pace with the changing nature of election laws, I include one new voting law to construct this year’s index: a requirement for multiple signatures on absentee ballot envelopes. In the 2024 rankings, Oregon remains the most accessible state for voters, while Mississippi is now the most restrictive. Furthermore, the research uncovers a trend of increasing polarization in voting accessibility, with Republican-controlled states generally enacting more stringent voting laws and Democratic-controlled states adopting more voter-friendly measures.