Voter restriction bills are more likely to pass in low-union-density states than in high-union-density states: Number of high-, medium-, and low-union-density states that have passed restrictive voting laws, 2021–2024
| No voter restrictions | Voter restrictions | |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 3 | 14 |
| Medium | 4 | 12 |
| High | 12 | 5 |
Notes: Union density is defined as the share of workers in the state who are represented by a union, including union members and other workers who are covered by a union contract, based on the variable “union” from EPI extracts of CPS-ORG microdata.
Notes: Union density is defined as the share of workers in the state who are represented by a union, including union members and other workers who are covered by a union contract, based on the variable “union” from EPI extracts of CPS-ORG microdata. Low-union-density states are the 17 states with the lowest average union densities from 2022–2024 (with union densities ranging from 3% to 8%). Medium-union-density states are the 17 states (including D.C.) in the middle of the union-density rankings (with union densities ranging from 8.2% to 13.1%). High-union-density states are the 17 states with the highest average union densities from 2022–2024 (greater than 13.4%). This analysis looks at restrictions passed by states from 2021 to 2024. We include as examples of voting restrictions laws that require voter ID or proof of citizenship, limit absentee and mail-in collection, limit registration, or limit participation by those previously incarcerated. D.C.—which is part of the medium-union-density group in other charts—is not included in the voter restrictions data.
Sources: EPI analysis of 2022–2024 Current Population Survey Outgoing Rotation Group (CPS-ORG) microdata for all workers ages 16 and older; EPI analysis of Brennan Center for Justice analysis of voting rights laws.