Saturday, February 06, 2021

Voter Suppression in the USA

 Across the world extending democracy means increasing voter turn-out and participation by making it easier for the electors to use their votes. Not so in the United States.

Already this year, and it has not yet been two months, 106 bills have been introduced in 28 states—including 17 under complete GOP control, where passage is more likely—to undermine access to the franchise. 

According to the Brennan Center's report, "These proposals primarily seek to: (1) limit mail voting access; (2) impose stricter voter ID requirements; (3) limit successful pro-voter registration policies; and (4) enable more aggressive voter roll purges."

They include proposals such as eliminating no-excuse absentee voting for many state residents.

 According to the Brennan Center for Justice, nine bills that Georgia Republicans introduced on February 1 would amount to "one of the worst voter suppression laws ever passed." 

Arizona Republicans have since the start of 2021 introduced 34 bills to make voting harder, including reducing the number of polling places in Maricopa County, the largest in the state and home to Phoenix,  from 100 to 15.

"All in all, these efforts amount to the most concerted attempts to roll back voting rights since the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965." said the Brennan Centre.

'Downright Scary': In 2021 Alone, GOP Introduces 100+ Voter Suppression Bills in 28 States | Common Dreams News


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