Grassroots efforts to increase voting are gaining momentum in these states, even as other states make voting harder

(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Tova Wang, Harvard Kennedy School

(THE CONVERSATION) Many people justifiably believe that democracy is under attack in the U.S. and the country’s election system is at risk.

But some good news gets lost in the many reports of doom. Many states in recent years have made significant advances toward promoting a more inclusive democracy.

I’ve worked in the voting rights and political participation field for over two decades. I’ve seen all the forces working against fair elections. Yet in my perspective, the past two years have also been groundbreaking in terms of advancing the right to vote.

Expanding the vote in Minnesota

Take Minnesota, for example. There, in 2023, the state legislature passed, and the governor signed, the Democracy for the People Act. This omnibus bill contained landmark voting rights and election reform advances:

● It allows 16- and 17-year-olds to preregister to vote and have their registration automatically activated when they turn 18.

● It...