A new study conducted by a group of political scientists and published in the Election Law Journal ranks Pennsylvania 31st for ease of voting, writes Katie Meyer for WITF.

The study created an index of factors that make it harder or easier to vote by reviewing 33 different types of election laws across all states. Among these are voter ID requirements, early and absentee voting, and limited polling hours.

Researchers found that the biggest factor in making voting easier is allowing registration on Election Day. Currently, 15 states and Washington, D.C., allow it, while two offer same-day registration for early voting.

Pennsylvania cuts off voter registration 30 days before an election, the maximum afforded under federal law.

According to Michelle Kanter Cohen, counsel with the nonpartisan Fair Elections Center, this is a key reason for the state’s ranking.

“Moving the voter registration deadline closer to Election Day allows more voters to participate, and that’s really at a time when people get more and more informed and excited to vote,” she said.

Cohen said that the commonwealth could increase voting turnout if it let young voters pre-register, launched early voting, and freely allowed absentee voting.

Read more about Pennsylvania’s ease of voting from WITF here.

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