Suppression of voters in the United States is characterized by various legal measures designed to restrain voters from exercising their right to vote. Notably, states introduced around two dozen laws that restrict voters’ rights. Most of the new laws make it complicated to vote by mail or absentee (Boschma, 2021). According to Allas (2021), Eliza Sweren-Becker, voting rights and elections counsel at the Brennan Center, suggests that the current wave of voting laws influence voters negatively and even suppress voters’ rights. Additionally, many companies and organizations have condemned these changes introduced to the country’s legislation.
These new laws show serious opposition between Republicans and Democrats. Thus, with the help of voting laws, the Republican Party aims to limit early voting, as well as complicate voting by mail, explaining this by fighting fraudsters. Alas (2021) states that the introduction of the new laws is a response of Republicans to the 2020 election. Republicans currently dominate both chambers of thirty state legislatures, including Texas, Georgia, and Arizona (Boschma, 2021). Republicans’ attempts to reconstruct the electoral system are causing serious resentment among Democrats. In their defense, Republicans argue that the laws are aimed at a fairer and safer voting process.
The main issue of the national dispute is whether the restriction of voters’ rights is a threat to the country’s democracy. For clarity, the new election law in Georgia contributes to limiting voters’ rights; for example, voters cannot vote without an identity card. Moreover, the laws, including restrictions related to voter ID and cuts to early and mail voting, make it complicated for eligible voters to exercise their most fundamental constitutional rights. To conclude, minorities, people with disabilities, students, immigrants, and the elderly are affected negatively and deprived of the right to vote. Thus, it is crucial to stop voter oppression and stand up for voters’ rights.
References
Alas, H. (2021). Report: Republican-led state legislatures pass dozens of restrictive voting laws in 2021. U.S. News.
Boschma, J. (2021). Fourteen states have enacted 22 new laws making it harder to vote. CNN Politics.