The Inequality in the 2020 US Election: What You Need to Know

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The Inequality in the 2020 US Election: What You Need to Know

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. The Lengthy Voting Process
  3. The Controversial Supreme Court Ruling
  4. Georgia's Voting Rights History
  5. Voter Suppression Tactics
  6. The Motivation Behind Voter Suppression Laws
  7. The Impact of Purging Voter Rolls
  8. The Importance of the Voting Rights Act of 1965
  9. The Shelby v. Holder Decision
  10. The Consequences of the Shelby Decision
  11. The 2018 Governor's Race in Georgia
  12. Democracy under Stress: A Preview of 2020
  13. Voter Suppression in the Time of Pandemic
  14. The Failures in Georgia's Primary Election
  15. The Need for Federal Oversight
  16. Voter Suppression Nationwide
  17. The Ongoing Struggle for Democratic Rights

The Lengthy Voting Process and Voter Suppression Tactics in Georgia

In Fulton County, Georgia, it took seven hours, 45 minutes, and 13 seconds for one voter to cast their ballot. This lengthy process is not uncommon for many voters in the state, particularly those in densely populated areas and communities of color. The issue of voter suppression has become a hot topic in Georgia, a state that has witnessed a significant shift in its demographic and political landscape over the years.

The Controversial Supreme Court Ruling

The root of the problem can be traced back to a controversial Supreme Court ruling in 2013. The ruling struck down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act, which required certain states, including Georgia, to obtain federal approval before making changes to their voting laws. This opened the door for many states to pass laws that made it more difficult for people, especially those from marginalized communities, to exercise their right to vote.

Georgia's Voting Rights History

Georgia, like many other states in the South, has a long history of voter suppression tactics aimed at keeping people of color away from the polls. From Jim Crow-era practices like poll taxes and literacy tests to more recent laws targeting minority communities, the state has been at the center of voting rights questions.

The Motivation Behind Voter Suppression Laws

Proponents of voter suppression laws often argue that their main concern is voter security and preventing voter fraud. However, critics argue that these arguments are often unsubstantiated and are used as a cover to disenfranchise certain groups of voters. Updating voter rolls and preventing voter fraud are legitimate concerns, but the methods employed in some states, including Georgia, seem to disproportionately target minority communities.

The Impact of Purging Voter Rolls

One of the tactics used to suppress votes is the purging of voter rolls. Georgia purged around 560,000 voters from its rolls in 2017, with Black voters being purged at a higher rate than others. While there is an argument to be made for maintaining accurate voter rolls, critics argue that the aggressive purging in some states is an attempt to keep certain communities from participating in the electoral process.

The Importance of the Voting Rights Act of 1965

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of legislation that aimed to protect the voting rights of all citizens. It prohibited states from making laws that infringed on people's right to vote Based on race or color. The act played a crucial role in increasing the participation of African Americans in the electoral process.

The Shelby v. Holder Decision

In 2013, the Supreme Court's decision in Shelby v. Holder struck down the preclearance provision of the Voting Rights Act. This provision required states with a history of discriminatory voting practices to obtain federal approval before making changes to their voting laws. The decision was seen as a significant blow to voting rights and allowed states like Georgia to make changes to their voting laws without federal oversight.

The Consequences of the Shelby Decision

The removal of the preclearance provision had immediate consequences. Many states, including Georgia, implemented new voting laws and procedures that disproportionately affected minority communities. The 2018 governor's race in Georgia, between Stacey Abrams and Brian Kemp, highlighted the issues of voter suppression and discrimination in the state.

Democracy under Stress: A Preview of 2020

The problems with Georgia's voting system in 2018 were just a preview of what is to come in the 2020 elections. The added elements of the pandemic and nationwide protests have further intensified the conversation around voting rights and voter suppression. The implementation of new voting machines, poll place closures, and changes to absentee balloting have raised concerns about the fairness and accessibility of the electoral process.

Voter Suppression in the Time of Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic presented additional challenges to the electoral process in Georgia. In response, the state sent out absentee ballot applications to registered voters to reduce in-person voting. However, many of these ballots were not delivered, resulting in long wait times and frustration on Election Day.

The Failures in Georgia's Primary Election

The failures in Fulton County during the primary election further exacerbated concerns about voter suppression. With a 9,000 percent increase in absentee ballots and the rollout of a new voting machine system, election officials struggled to handle the volume of voters. This disproportionately affected communities of color, who experienced longer wait times and encountered problems at polling sites.

The Need for Federal Oversight

The lack of federal oversight, due to the Shelby ruling, has made it challenging to address voter suppression effectively. With the Current system, addressing each case of voter suppression requires costly litigation and may not happen in time to make a difference in an election. Restoring federal oversight would provide a front-end protection against discriminatory voting practices.

Voter Suppression Nationwide

Voter suppression is not limited to Georgia. Similar tactics and laws have been implemented in various states across the country, such as Texas, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. The struggle for democratic rights, particularly for marginalized communities, remains an ongoing issue in the United States.

In conclusion, the lengthy voting process and voter suppression tactics in Georgia have raised significant concerns about the fairness and accessibility of the electoral process. The Shelby v. Holder decision and the subsequent changes to voting laws have disproportionately affected communities of color and created barriers to their participation in elections. Restoring federal oversight and addressing voter suppression nationwide are crucial steps towards ensuring equal voting rights for all citizens.

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