Jimmy Carter on Voting

Jimmy Carter, a dedicated proponent of electoral integrity, has consistently championed measures to increase voter participation both domestically and internationally through his post-presidency work. While he did not enact sweeping federal election administration changes during his time as president, he proposed comprehensive reforms in 1977, including universal election-day voter registration, to combat low turnout. His commitment is evidenced by his post-presidency efforts, notably co-chairing the Commission on Federal Election Reform in 2005, which addressed issues like absentee voting security.

More recently, Carter expressed deep concern regarding legislative efforts in his home state of Georgia that he viewed as aimed at suppressing the vote, particularly impacting Black Americans. He urged federal and state governments to expand options like vote-by-mail, especially in the context of public health crises, while stressing the need for robust safeguards to prevent fraud. His overall stance reflects a belief that the right to vote is fundamental, linking electoral participation directly to the strength of democracy.