Card 34: Voter Suppression

VOTER SUPPRESSION:

What Does It Mean for Your Vote?

Everyone wants to have free and fair elections and to know that their votes count. Everyone, that is, except political operatives who want power and control over others. Voter fraud is extremely rare: For example, in swing state Pennsylvania, Heritage Foundation data from over 30 years and 32 elections totaling 100 million votes show only 39 cases of voter fraud. Our right to vote is under attack through ever more restrictive voting laws proposed in Congress and already enacted in some states.

What Exactly Is Voter Suppression? 

Voter suppression is any action that makes it harder for an individual or group to vote or register to vote, with the aim of reducing voter turnout. Voter suppression includes:

• Redrawing state or congressional districts to target specific groups and sway election results (gerrymandering).
• Requiring proof of citizenship like a birth certificate, a US passport, or naturalization papers that match for voter registration. These requirements mostly discriminate against women, people of color, and new voters.
• Purging voter rolls, resulting in the removal of legally registered voters.
• Limiting access to polling places and ballot drop boxes.
• Banning or restricting mail-in voting, affecting millions of Americans.
• Spreading misinformation and disinformation about voting dates and locations.
• Keeping Elections Free and Fair for All Americans:

Keeping Elections Free and Fair for All Americans:
What Does That Look Like?

It’s important to recognize that voter suppression occurs both at the federal level and separately at the state level. None of the executive orders Trump issued to restrict voting on a federal level are currently in effect. Meanwhile, some state restrictions are.

State-level voter suppression does not happen in all states. You should check with your local election office to find out the rules in your area. Usvotefoundation.org provides contact information for your local office.

What Can You Do? Be Prepared!

Get your vote ready and help others. Gather essential documents like birth certificate (original only, no photocopies), US passport or passport card, and naturalization papers to register or re-register to vote. REAL ID is not proof of citizenship in most states. 

• If you’ve changed your name, you may need to show a marriage license, divorce decree, adoption papers, court-ordered name change, or the like. This varies from state to state.
• Check regularly to be sure you and your family members are registered to vote. Nonpartisan sites where you can verify your registration include Vote.org and VOTE411.org.
• Participate in voter registration efforts for new voters in your state.
• Volunteer as a poll worker or watcher on Election Day to help prevent harassment and intimidation of voters and poll workers.
• Volunteer to assist people who need help getting to the polls.
• Be aware of “voter integrity” bills in Congress and call 202-224-3121 to voice concerns to your Senators and Representative.

Voting is one of the most precious rights guaranteed to all citizens by our Constitution. 
It’s up to us to make sure we don’t lose it.