Voter Suppression in America Today

Voter suppression is an ongoing problem in America. It happens when states pass laws or take actions that make it harder for people to vote. These barriers take many forms, such as strict voter ID laws, reducing polling locations, purging voter rolls, and gerrymandering. While these actions might seem like they aim to prevent fraud, their real impact is to limit voting access, especially for marginalized groups. Let’s break down how voter suppression works, who it affects most, and why staying informed and voting are critical.

The Problem with Strict Voter ID Laws

One of the most common ways voter suppression happens is through strict voter ID laws. These laws require government-issued identification to vote, but getting an ID isn’t easy for everyone. For example, obtaining a birth certificate—a document often required to get an ID—can be expensive or difficult to access. According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), 11% of Americans do not have the necessary identification to vote. This disproportionately affects people with disabilities, older adults, and those living in rural areas who may have to travel long distances to get an ID.

In Texas, for instance, some rural residents must travel up to 170 miles to reach the nearest office that issues IDs. To make matters worse, Texas accepts gun licenses as valid voter ID but does not accept student IDs from state universities. Other states have similarly suppressive laws:

• Georgia: Requires ID to vote absentee, affecting people who cannot travel to obtain one.

• North Dakota: Demands proof of a residential address, making it difficult for Native Americans on reservations where street addresses might not exist.

• Wisconsin: Enforced strict ID laws right before a major election, leading to confusion and disenfranchisement.

These laws create unnecessary obstacles for millions of voters and unfairly impact those who already face challenges in their daily lives.

Reducing Polling Locations

Another tactic of voter suppression is closing polling locations, which forces voters to travel farther and endure longer lines to cast their ballots. This practice has been especially widespread in states with large minority populations.

Texas, for example, has closed 750 polling places since the 2013 Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder, which weakened federal oversight of voting changes. Many of these closures occurred in areas with high numbers of Latino and African American residents. For instance:

• Dallas County: Closed 74 polling places.

• Travis County: Closed 67 polling places.

• Harris County: Closed 52 polling places.

Arizona has also seen widespread reductions, with 320 polling places closed statewide. In Maricopa County, which is 31% Latino, 171 polling locations have been shuttered since 2012. These closures disproportionately affect communities of color, who often face greater obstacles in accessing transportation or taking time off work to vote.

Voter Roll Purges

Another way voter suppression happens is through purging voter rolls, which means removing people from the list of registered voters. While maintaining accurate voter rolls is important, purges are often done hastily or based on outdated information, leading to eligible voters being removed by mistake.

For example, less than a week before the 2024 general election, the Supreme Court allowed Virginia officials to purge 1,600 voters from the state’s registration rolls. The governor claimed this was necessary to prevent illegal voting, even though cases of noncitizen voting are extremely rare—only three people have been prosecuted in Virginia since 2021. Most of the purged voters were eligible to vote but were unfairly targeted because of incorrect or outdated information.

Who Is Affected the Most?

Voter suppression disproportionately impacts low-income communities, people of color, older adults, and people with disabilities. These groups often face greater challenges in meeting strict ID requirements, traveling to distant polling places, or navigating complex voting rules. By creating additional barriers, voter suppression laws silence the voices of those who are already underrepresented in government.

Why Your Vote Matters

Despite these challenges, voting remains one of the most powerful ways to create change. By staying informed about voting rights and participating in elections, you help protect democracy and ensure that everyone’s voice is heard. Every vote counts, especially in close elections where just a few ballots can decide the outcome.

Voter suppression is a serious issue, but it’s not an insurmountable one. By understanding the barriers to voting and taking action to overcome them, you can help protect the right to vote for yourself and others. Stay informed about your voting rights, support policies that expand access to the ballot box, and encourage others to participate in elections. Your vote is your voice—use it to stand up for what matters and help create a fairer, more inclusive democracy.