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Is voter suppression still an issue in modern-day democracies?

Caryn Soloway

Hey guys and gals, let’s talk about something spicy – voter suppression! Is it still a relevant issue in modern-day democracies? Have no fear, I have all the tea on this topic.

First of all, let’s define what voter suppression actually is. Voter suppression is any attempt to prevent or discourage people from exercising their right to vote. This can range from intimidating voters at the polls to passing strict voter ID laws that disproportionately affect certain groups of people.

So, is this still a problem in our supposedly advanced societies? Unfortunately, the answer is a big fat YES. Voter suppression is alive and well in many democratic nations around the world.

In the United States, for example, a recent study estimated that 17 million voters were purged from voter rolls between 2016 and 2018, mostly in states with a history of racial discrimination. This means that many eligible voters were denied their right to vote simply because they were not on the registration list.

Another tactic used to suppress voters in the US is gerrymandering. This is the manipulation of voting district boundaries in order to give one party an unfair advantage. Gerrymandering often involves carving up minority communities in order to dilute their voting power. And let’s not forget the good old-fashioned voter ID laws, which require people to present government-issued identification in order to vote. Sounds simple, right? Wrong. These laws disproportionately affect low-income and minority voters who may not have easy access to the necessary documents.

But the US is not the only culprit. In India, for example, an estimated 109 million women are missing from the voter rolls. This is due in part to cultural norms that prevent women from being listed on official documents, as well as a lack of awareness about the importance of voting.

In Australia, indigenous people face barriers to the ballot box, including poor infrastructure in remote areas and strict voter ID laws. And in the Philippines, voters are often threatened or intimidated by political leaders or their supporters.

So, what can we do about it? Well, for starters, we can stay informed and make our voices heard. We can support organizations that are fighting for voting rights and call out politicians who engage in voter suppression tactics. We can also encourage our friends and family to vote, especially those who may be disenfranchised.

The bottom line is that voter suppression is a serious issue that affects the very foundation of democracy. We can’t let complacency or apathy prevent us from standing up for what’s right. Let’s work together to ensure that every person’s voice is heard – even if we have to spill a little tea along the way.