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Voter Suppression

From the Advocacy Committee


October 7, 2024


Voter Suppression: A Threat to Democracy


The right to vote is at the heart of every democracy, allowing citizens into the political process and giving them a voice into the future policy decisions of their nation. Efforts to suppress voting are pervasive and pose a major threat to democratic ideals, even in mature democracies like the United States. 


Voter suppression is a range of tactics employed to limit or manipulate the ability of certain groups of people to participate in the electoral process. This practice undermines the principles of democracy by disproportionately targeting marginalized communities. While it can take various forms, it generally seeks to obstruct the free and equal participation of citizens in the democratic process.


Below are some of the common ways in which voter suppression is being attempted in the United States.


Voter ID Laws: One of the most controversial methods is through strict voter identification laws. While proponents argue that these laws protect against voter fraud, critics contend that they disproportionately affect minority and low-income community members, who may face obstacles to obtaining the required identification. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think-tank, reports just over 1,300 criminal convictions in “recent years,” which is not clearly defined on its website but appears to date back to the early 2000s. The NYU’s Brennan Center School of Law reporting on this issue in, “The Truth About Voter Fraud,” found that most reported incidents of voter fraud are linked to sources like clerical errors or bad data matching practices. The report reviewed elections that had been meticulously studied for voter fraud, and found incident rates between 0.0003 percent and 0.0025 percent. Given this tiny incident rate for voter impersonation fraud, it is more likely, the report noted, that an American “will be struck by lightning than that he will impersonate another voter at the polls.”


Restrictive Voting Hours and Locations: Limiting early voting hours and reducing the number of polling locations can create significant barriers for citizens, particularly those with inflexible work schedules or limited transportation options. Many will recall the long 2020 Presidential Election lines in the predominantly black suburbs of Atlanta, in which thousands of voters had to wait up to five hours in the heat and rain to cast their ballots - many voters were reported to have left the voting queue, while others were offered provisional ballots after the polls closed leaving them frustrated and doubtful as to whether their vote would be counted.


Voter Roll Purges: States engaging in aggressive voter roll purges often remove eligible voters from registration lists, citing concerns about accuracy. However, these purges can lead to the disenfranchisement of eligible voters, particularly if the removal criteria is vague, poorly implemented, or insidiously targets a certain party or demographic. A recent example from North Carolina shows over 700,000 voters have been removed from the voter rolls, which is nearly 10% of all voters registered in the state. The majority of removals fall into one of two categories: moved within the state and/or failed to vote in the last two federal elections. The election board began the removal process in early 2023, but waited until September 26 to publicize the purge, leaving those affected little more than two weeks to learn whether they were impacted and, if so, to re-register by the October 11 deadline.


Here’s how to fight back.


Legal Challenges: Courts play a crucial role in combating voter suppression by evaluating the constitutionality of restrictive voting laws. Advocacy groups and concerned citizens often file lawsuits to challenge measures they deem discriminatory, seeking judicial intervention to protect the right to vote. If you become aware of a local practice that you think may aim to suppress votes, reach out to a local advocacy group or constitutional lawyer to explore options.


Education and Awareness: Perhaps the biggest thing ordinary citizens can do is help raise awareness about voter suppression tactics to empower citizens to recognize and challenge these efforts. Outreach programs, community workshops, and educational campaigns can help ensure that voters are informed and prepared to navigate obstacles. Camp Hill Democrats’ Advocacy Committee is doing its part by producing this and other related content.


Advocacy for Policy Change: Activism and advocacy efforts at both the state and federal levels are essential for enacting policy changes that safeguard the integrity of the electoral process. This includes pushing for legislation that promotes fair and accessible voting procedures while actively opposing measures that contribute to voter suppression.


In conclusion, voter suppression remains a major challenge and threat in the United States.  Citizens, lawmakers, and activists must remain vigilant, working together to remove barriers and promote a voting system that is fair and broadly inclusive. Only through collective efforts can we ensure democratic ideals remain intact.


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