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How have voter suppression tactics evolved over time? What historical events have contributed to the current state of affairs?

Lesia Minifie

Voter suppression is a longstanding issue in the United States, and its tactics have evolved over time. From poll taxes and literacy tests to gerrymandering and strict voter ID laws, voter suppression has been used to limit the participation of certain groups in the democratic process.

Historically, voter suppression has been used primarily to suppress the votes of Black Americans. Following Reconstruction, southern states implemented various measures to limit voting among Black Americans, including poll taxes, literacy tests, and grandfather clauses. These measures were designed to keep Black Americans from exercising their right to vote, and they were largely successful.

In the 1960s, the Civil Rights Movement helped to put an end to some of the most egregious forms of voter suppression. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a major victory for the movement, as it banned poll taxes, literacy tests, and other blatantly discriminatory practices. However, new tactics emerged in the years following the Civil Rights Movement, including gerrymandering, voter ID laws, and the purging of voter rolls.

Gerrymandering is the practice of redrawing voting districts to benefit a particular party or group. This can be used to dilute the voting power of certain groups, particularly minority groups. Voter ID laws require voters to show a form of identification before casting their ballot. While this may seem like a common-sense measure to prevent voter fraud, in practice, it can disproportionately affect low-income and minority voters who may not have easy access to a valid form of identification. Voter roll purges involve removing voters from the registration rolls, often under the guise of keeping the rolls up-to-date and accurate. However, these purges can end up disenfranchising eligible voters who are wrongly removed from the rolls.

The 2013 Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder also had a significant impact on voter suppression in the United States. The decision struck down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act, which had required certain states with a history of voter suppression to get approval from the federal government before making changes to their voting laws. Following the decision, many states moved quickly to implement new voter suppression measures, including strict voter ID laws and purges of voter rolls.

The current state of affairs is one in which voter suppression remains a major issue, particularly for marginalized communities. While there have been some successes in the fight against voter suppression, there is still much work to be done to ensure that every eligible voter is able to cast their ballot without interference or intimidation.

In conclusion, voter suppression tactics have evolved over time, but their goal remains the same: to limit the participation of certain groups in the democratic process. Historical events, including Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Shelby County v. Holder decision, have contributed to the current state of affairs. While progress has been made in the fight against voter suppression, it is important that we remain vigilant and continue working to ensure that every eligible voter is able to exercise their right to vote.