What is voter suppression?

Voter suppression refers to the efforts designed to discourage or prevent specific groups of people from voting in order to control the outcome of an election. With less than four months until the coming election, it’s crucial that we address voter suppression as a looming issue that is wiping out communities of voters today.

How did voter suppression come to be?

Though voter suppression has been around for hundreds of years, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 had been a vital tool in blocking discrimination against minority groups. Since its invalidation by the Supreme Court in 2013, however, politicians have easily been able to pass many voter restriction laws that target especially minority groups. Some of these discriminatory tactics include strict voter ID laws, gerrymandering, poll closures, and cutting out early voting.

Why should I be concerned? Does voter suppression affect me or anyone I know?

Unnecessary restrictions are hindering American citizens from fully participating in our democracy and being fairly represented by our government. Some people who are affected by these hindrances are people of color, lower income workers, and those with the inability to obtain a voter ID. Students are often targeted for voter suppression because they’re generally seen as being more liberal. Currently, seven states don’t allow Student ID as a viable form of voter ID.

Image taken from this website.

About The Cause

Hi! My name is Azka. I chose to make my website about voter suppression because I believe that it is an issue that must be eradicated in order for us to have a proper democracy. The fact that this is something that is still happening to us in this day-- and not in the early 1900s--is overwhelming to me. By dedicating my website to this topic, I hope to inspire others to take action against voter suppression by contacting their local congressman, further educating themselves and others on this topic, and registering to vote if they are able to. I believe that everyone’s vote matters and that no government policy-maker should be able to decide if one voice matters over another.