According to the Pew Charitable Trust, two thirds of all eligible voters in the United States cast a ballot in the November 6, 2020 elections. That makes 2020 the highest-turnout election since eligible voter percentages were first calculated in 1980.  Remarkable as that is, especially during a global pandemic, that statistic pales in comparison to many other nations around the globe, which routinely see turnout of 75% and beyond.  Digging deeper, the Pew study found that turnout increased most in states that expanded voter access to mail-in or absentee ballots.  The common-sense takeaway?  Make it easier to vote and more people will.  State legislatures have taken notice.  According to the Brennan Center, since last November, state ldolegislators have introduced 125 bills to limit voter access and 541 bills to expand voter access.  Georgia, controlled by Republicans, recently passed one of the more restrictive bills.  Doug Hess is a Professor of Political Science/Policy Studies at Grinnell College.