We’ve come a long way. But there’s more to do. Learn about what’s happening with voting rights in America today.
Voter Suppression
While the right to vote is theoretically granted to every lawful citizen in the United States, systems and laws that disenfranchise millions for political gain continue to exist—often disproportionately affecting the low-income and BIPOC communities, as well as people with disabilities and other minority populations.
Gerrymandering
Gerrymandering means redrawing voting districts to benefit one political party over another. The word is derived from the governor first associated with this political maneuver, Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts, and the shape of the district he drew on a map looked like a salamander.
Vote By Mail
During the COVID pandemic, access to secure mail-in voting expanded across the nation. Despite the increased accessibility, only a small handful of states allow all elections to be conducted by mail. And unfortunately, mail-in voting has become a popular scapegoat for those who want to cast doubt on election outcomes.
Voting Security
Under the guise of “election integrity” political and private groups are instituting practices that intimidate voters or infringe upon the voting rights of marginalized populations – and many tactics such as citizen poll watching and the use of misinformation result in an inequitable voting system.