What is Voter Suppression

 What is Voter Suppression?

In this democratic nation, the right to vote is a privilege that every citizen is granted in order to have a voice in who their elected officials are. However, the past two decades have brought endless barriers to the ballot box, preventing many from exercising their basic right to vote. Politicians go as far as redrawing individual district lines to skew election results in the favor of their party. As a result, voter suppression ends up disproportionately affecting minority groups, poor communities, and the elderly. 

Types of Voter Suppression:

Voter suppression is formulated in a multitude of ways, from restricting mail-in ballots to preventing early registration. Voter registration is the foundation of the voting process, as it finalizes the right legally and documents one’s voting identity for the polls. However, registering to vote in itself presents several barriers. In order to register, a proof of citizenship must be obtained. That means that non-citizen permanent residents cannot vote, even though they pay  taxes in the United States and are affected by the decisions of elected officials. 

Additional types of voter suppression in the United States include:

1. Voter ID laws: These laws require voters to present a government-issued ID in order to vote. This can make it difficult for certain groups of people, such as the elderly, low-income individuals, and minorities, to vote. 

2. Purging voter rolls: This is the practice of removing names from voter registration lists if they are thought to be ineligible to vote. This can lead to eligible voters being removed from the rolls and being unable to vote.

3. Voter intimidation: This can include threatening or coercing individuals in order to prevent them from voting, or creating a climate of fear that discourages people from voting.

4. Limited polling locations: This is when there are not enough polling places in an area, making it difficult for people to vote, or when polling locations are placed in inconvenient or hard to reach locations.

5. Restrictions on voter registration: This can include laws or practices that make it difficult for people to register to vote, such as requiring proof of citizenship or requiring people to register in person.

6. Gerrymandering: This is the practice of manipulating electoral district boundaries in order to benefit a particular political party or group.

7. Felony disenfranchisement: This is when individuals with felony convictions are prevented from voting, even after they have served their time.

Solutions to Voter Suppression:

Currently, there are several measures and legislation that are being created to allow Americans the ability to vote without these restrictions. It is imperative that voter suppression is stopped or prevented wherever it may emerge. Voter suppression undermines the democratic process because it is a violation of the fundamental right to vote. It undermines the integrity of the electoral process and undermines the legitimacy of the government elected through it. Voter suppression also disproportionately affects marginalized communities, including people of color, low-income individuals, people with disabilities, and the elderly. These communities are already at a disadvantage in terms of accessing political power, and voter suppression further exacerbates this issue. Furthermore, voter suppression can lead to low voter turnout, which can undermine the legitimacy of the government elected through it. Every citizen has the right to participate in the democratic process, and solving voter suppression is necessary to ensure that all citizens have an equal opportunity to do so.

There are several solutions to voter suppression in the United States, including:

1. Automatic voter registration: This is a system where eligible citizens are automatically registered to vote when they interact with certain government agencies, unless they opt out. This can help increase voter turnout and reduce the potential for errors in voter registration.

2. Same day voter registration: This allows eligible citizens to register to vote on the same day as an election, which can help increase voter turnout and reduce the potential for errors in voter registration.

3. Online voter registration: This allows eligible citizens to register to vote online, which can increase voter turnout and reduce the potential for errors in voter registration.

4. Restoring voting rights to individuals with felony convictions: This would allow individuals with felony convictions to vote once they have completed their sentences, which can help increase voter turnout and reduce the potential for errors in voter registration.

5. Implementing independent redistricting commissions: This would take the power of drawing electoral district boundaries away from the government and give it to an independent commission, which can help reduce the potential for gerrymandering.

6. Providing voter education: This can include educating citizens on the voting process, their rights as voters, and how to overcome barriers to voting.

7. Ensuring accessible polling places: This can include providing polling places that are wheelchair-accessible, and ensuring that polling places are located in convenient, easily accessible locations for all voters.

8. Increasing voting machines and staff in polling locations: This can help reduce wait times and improve the voting experience.

9. Monitoring of the voting process: This can include having independent observers to ensure that the voting process is conducted fairly and without any voter suppression.

There are several ways that individuals can advocate against voter suppression. Start with education, as it is important to understand the various forms of voter suppression and how they impact different communities. This knowledge can be used to educate others and raise awareness about the issue. Furthermore, get involved with grassroots organizations. Many organizations, such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Brennan Center for Justice, and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, are working to combat voter suppression. Joining or supporting these organizations can help amplify their efforts. Additionally, contacting local, state, and federal elected officials to express support for voting rights and opposition to voter suppression can help create political pressure for change. A great start is simply spreading awareness on social media by using social media platforms to share information about voter suppression and encourage others to get involved in the fight against it. Eliminating voter suppression is imperative to the United States electoral system, and there are so many ways to help advocate to see real change in the government.

This post was curated by President Ishana Bandyopadhyay.