One Person, No Vote

1. Voter suppression tactics have evolved to undermine minority voting rights

"Pushed by both the impending demographic collapse of the Republican Party, whose overwhelmingly white constituency is becoming an ever smaller share of the electorate, and the GOP's extremist inability to craft policies that speak to an increasingly diverse nation, the Republicans opted to disfranchise rather than reform."

Historical context. After the Civil War, southern states used poll taxes, literacy tests, and violence to prevent African Americans from voting. While the Voting Rights Act of 1965 outlawed many of these practices, new tactics emerged in recent decades:

• Strict voter ID requirements
• Aggressive purging of voter rolls
• Closing or moving polling places
• Cutting early voting periods
• Gerrymandering districts to dilute minority voting power

Modern justifications. These measures are often framed as preventing voter fraud or improving election integrity. However, evidence shows voter fraud is extremely rare. The real goal is suppressing turnout among minority voters who tend to support Democrats.

Ongoing struggle. The fight over voting rights remains as contentious as ever. While some states are expanding access through reforms like automatic voter registration, others continue to erect barriers that disproportionately impact minority communities. The fundamental struggle over who gets to participate in American democracy continues.

2. The 2016 election saw a significant drop in minority voter turnout

"Nationwide, black voter turnout had dropped by 7 percent overall. Moreover, less than half of Hispanic and Asian American voters came to the polls."

Key statistics. The decline in minority turnout in 2016 was stark:

• Black turnout fell from 66.6% in 2012 to 59.6% in 2016
• Hispanic turnout declined from 48% to 47.6%
• Asian American turnout dropped from 47% to 45.8%

Contributing factors. Several issues likely played a role in depressing minority turnout:

• New voter ID laws in several states
• Reduced early voting periods
• Closing of polling places in minority neighborhoods
• Purging of voter rolls
• Russian disinformation targeting minority voters on social media

Electoral impact. The drop in minority turnout, especially in key swing states, may have been decisive in Donald Trump's victory. In Wisconsin, for example, black turnout fell by 19% - in a state Trump won by just 22,748 votes.

3. Voter ID laws disproportionately impact minority and low-income voters

"Getting a photo ID so you can vote is easy. Unless you're poor, black, Latino or elderly."

Stated purpose vs. reality. Proponents claim voter ID laws prevent fraud, but in-person voter impersonation is extremely rare. Instead, these laws create barriers for specific groups:

• 25% of African Americans lack government-issued photo ID, compared to 8% of whites
• Up to 18% of Americans over 65 lack photo ID
• Low-income voters often struggle to obtain required documents like birth certificates

Hidden costs. While some states offer free IDs, there are still expenses involved:

• Fees for supporting documents (birth certificates, etc.)
• Transportation costs to ID-issuing offices
• Lost wages from taking time off work

Uneven implementation. Some states have gone to extreme lengths, like closing DMV offices in predominantly black counties or refusing to accept certain types of ID more common among minority voters.

4. Voter roll purges remove eligible voters under the guise of list maintenance

"With the flick of a bureaucratic wrist, millions of Americans—veterans, congressional representatives, judges, county officials, and most decidedly minorities—were erased."

Scale of the problem. Recent years have seen aggressive purging of voter rolls:

• Georgia removed 591,549 voters in 2017
• Ohio purged 2 million voters between 2011-2016
• 16 million voters were purged nationwide between 2014-2016

Flawed methods. Many purges rely on unreliable data:

• "Use it or lose it" policies remove voters for infrequent voting
• Crosscheck programs flag potential double registrations based solely on names
• Voters are often not adequately notified before being removed

Disproportionate impact. Studies show minorities are more likely to be erroneously purged:

• In Georgia, 70% of voters purged in 2018 were African American
• Hispanic and Asian American voters are more likely to share common surnames, increasing chances of false matches in purge programs

5. Gerrymandering allows politicians to choose their voters, not vice versa

"Control redistricting … and you could control Congress."

Definition and history. Gerrymandering is the practice of drawing electoral districts to favor one party or group. While not new, modern technology has made it far more precise and effective:

• Sophisticated mapping software
• Big data on voter demographics and behavior
• Predictive analytics to model election outcomes

Types of gerrymandering:

• "Cracking" - spreading opposition voters across many districts
• "Packing" - concentrating opposition voters into a few districts
• Racial gerrymandering - diluting minority voting power

Electoral consequences. Extreme gerrymandering can lead to:

• Uncompetitive elections
• Legislatures that don't reflect the popular vote
• Reduced accountability for elected officials
• Increased polarization as politicians cater to party base

6. Long lines and reduced polling places create barriers to voting

"Long lines 'discourage voting, lower confidence' that a ballot will actually be counted, 'and impose economic costs on voters.' "

Unequal wait times. Studies show stark disparities in voting wait times:

• Average wait for black voters: 23 minutes
• Average wait for Hispanic voters: 19 minutes
• Average wait for white voters: 12 minutes

Causes of long lines:

• Closure of polling places (868 closed in former VRA states since 2013)
• Inadequate staffing and voting machines
• Voter ID checks slowing down the process
• Confusing ballots or voting technology

Economic impact. Long waits impose real costs on voters:

• Lost wages for hourly workers
• Childcare expenses
• Transportation costs
• Some voters simply give up and leave without voting

7. Grassroots organizing and legal challenges are fighting voter suppression

"We have to do this for ourselves … No one is going to do this for us."

Voter education efforts. Organizations are working to ensure voters understand their rights:

• Informing ex-felons about voting rights restoration
• Helping voters obtain necessary ID
• Educating on polling place changes and voting requirements

Get-out-the-vote campaigns. Grassroots groups are countering suppression with intensive outreach:

• Door-to-door canvassing
• Phone banking and text messaging
• Providing transportation to the polls
• Targeted outreach to low-propensity voters

Legal challenges. Civil rights organizations continue to fight restrictive laws in court:

• Challenging voter ID requirements
• Suing over discriminatory redistricting plans
• Pushing back against aggressive voter purges

8. Automatic voter registration and other reforms can expand voting access

"Democracy is at its best with active, engaged citizens."

Automatic voter registration. This policy automatically registers eligible citizens when they interact with government agencies:

• Implemented in 16 states and Washington D.C.
• Can dramatically increase registration rates, especially among young voters
• Keeps voter rolls more accurate and up-to-date

Other pro-voter reforms:

• Same-day registration
• Early voting periods
• No-excuse absentee voting
• Restoring voting rights to people with felony convictions

Results of reform. States implementing these policies often see:

• Increased voter turnout
• More representative electorates
• Reduced administrative costs
• Shorter lines on Election Day

Last updated: November 18, 2024