Change Your World Week Winter 2021 (Archived)

Voter Discrimination is the act of depriving a specific group or persons their right to vote by implementing certain regulations and or laws.

Types of Discriminating Regulations

• In 1908, 11 states of former confederacy create new regulations that specifically targeted African American men. One regulation was known as "Literacy Tests". These literacy tests were designed to purposely fail African American men, which in turn, the government classified them as too illiterate to vote. 

• Felons, in some states like Kentucky, Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee, could completely be stripped of their rights to vote. In other states, their right to vote solely depends on the consideration of their petitions.

• Strict photo ID or proof of citizens laws. There are 18 states that have strict photo ID laws such as Montana, Idaho, South Dakota, Iowa, and Texas. There are also 2 states that need proof of citizenship, such as Kansas and Georgia.

• Reduced early voting 

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Here is a graph showing the current states with and without voter ID laws and restrictions. Graph is from Ankita Rao, et. all "Which U.S. States makes it hardest to vote?", The Guardian. (2020). Which US states make it hardest to vote? | US news | The Guardian

It creates a turnout gap between white votes and people of color. In 1958, it was reported that roughly 36% of black people voted and more than 60% were white. In 2014, 33% were Latinos, 35% Asian, 49% were African Americans, and 54% Caucasians. It also poses the threat to potentially suppress or take away eligible voters’ rights. Voter discrimination mentally discourages people of color to vote. The ACLU, for example, reported that in Florida, younger, first-time, and minority voters were at least twice as likely as older and white voters to have their ballots rejected when voting by mail. We were seeing a similar trend in 2020, where African American voters’ mail-in ballots were being rejected at a rate more than four times higher than those of White voters, due to voters making mistakes or failing to have their witness sign-in properly.

Using the link Historical Reported Voting Rates (census.gov), you can find the most up to date statistics on how often, each race and age, votes. The graph shown above was provided by the current link. The numbers/surveys were provided by CPS (Current Population Survey), (2015).

• Voter Discrimination relates to racial inequality in a way of making minority voters have a lower voter turnout.
• “With ethnic and racial minority populations in the United States rising, there is a growing population of voices that remain unaccounted for. Though current legislation has been implemented to ensure fair and impartial voting access, there is too much leeway given to state governments in the voting system’s execution. As a result, restrictions in the election system have resulted in systematic discrimination toward minority populations, making them ineligible to vote"(Vij 2021).
• Voter polls are being removed from low income neighborhoods where the neighborhood is dominantly people of color, making it more difficult for them vote within their own counties.
• Wait time in lines to vote are twice as long for people of color living in low income neighborhoods.

• When people of color experience voter suppression, it results in high reports of voter discrimination and low votes overall for elections/polls

Watch this informative video as AOC brings to light the discriminations in the voting systems

According to Oosting (2021), the Michigan Senate, last week, introduced a sweeping 39-bill package that would tighten photo identification requirements for in-person voting, create new identification rules for absentee ballots and limit the use of absentee ballot drop boxes, among other things. Governor Whitmer is trying to prevent this from happening in Michigan, but the state constitution provides a mechanism that republicans can use to cut her out of the equation sources say. Republicans have said that they are hoping to make voting easier but cheating harder in this proposal. Governor Whitmer is currently at a stand still because “No law initiated or adopted by the people shall be subject to the veto power of the governor, according to the state constitution adopted by voters in 1963” (Oosting 2021).

More information on this topic can be located using the current link provided. https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/how-republicans-plan-tighten-michigan-voting-laws-evade-whitmer-veto

Stay connected and stay aware! If you are not currently registered to vote, Michigan has many resources to help. Follow this link to start registration Michigan Online Voter Registration

Delta College provides students the access to vote at TurboVote

OR

If you need assistance with voting MDDHS (Michigan Department of Health and Human Services) can assist you with the process. Call and schedule your appointment today! (515)-373-3740 or go to their website MDHHS - Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

There are many organizations here to help you get involved or here to help you understand your rights.

The National Association of the Advancement of Colored People

Also known as "The NAACP", is an organization founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. They have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2 million activists. Their mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons. The vision of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race. 

What ways has the NAACP helped with voter discrimination?

During the 2020 Census, the NAACP became aware of the possible voter suppression the White House was trying to passive-aggressively pursue in connection with Russia and election tampering. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, President Trump’s Voter Fraud Commission and former strategist Steve Bannon allegedly colluded to add a citizenship question to Census2020, is the latest in a series of facts that indicate a clear attempt to suppress the vote of communities of color according to the NAACP. The NAACP is calling for a full-scale investigation into the various connections to voter suppression connected to the White House.

In historic achievements, during the Civil Rights Movement, the NAACP fought for those of color to have the right to vote, to overturn the “Separate but Equal” law, and to fight for women of color when their voice didn’t matter in the election polls.

People wait in line outside the Supreme Court in Washington, in 2013, to listen to oral arguments in the Shelby County, Ala., v. Holder voting rights case. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Photo can be found using link https://publicintegrity.org/politics/elections/ballotboxbarriers/analysis-voter-suppression-never-went-away-tactics-changed/

American Civil Liberties Union

American Civil Liberties Union was founded in 1920 and is our nation's guardian of liberty. The ACLU works in the courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to all people in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States.

What ways has the ACLU helped with voter discrimination?

The American Civil Liberties Union and partner organizations filed a lawsuit challenging Ohio’s practice of ‘purging’ or removing people who vote infrequently from its voting rolls, charging that it is in violation of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). More of their ongoing cases and filed law suits can be found on their website American Civil Liberties Union (aclu.org)

The United States Department of Justice

The ‘United States Department of Justice’ was created by the enactment of the civil rights act of 1957. It works to uphold the voting rights for all Americans. “The Division enforces federal statutes prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), disability, religion, familial status, national origin, and citizenship status.” They also will provide attorneys if you believe you were a victim of voter discrimination.

What ways has the Department of Justice helped with voter discrimination?

They have several groups working to address discrimination among the LGBTQ community and Native Americans. There are lawyers readily and available for anyone who feels they have been discriminated against based on skin color, sexual orientation, and or beliefs. If you know of anyone or if you feel like your voting rights have been discriminated against, report here to the Department of Justice Step 1: Contact - Contact the Civil Rights Division | Department of Justice

The Voting Rights Lab

The Voting Rights Lab is a nonpartisan organization that brings state advocacy, policy, and legislative expertise to fight for voting rights. We work in partnership with organizations across the country to build winning state legislative campaigns that secure, protect, and defend the voting rights of all Americans.

What ways has the Voters Rights Lab helped with voter discrimination?

The Voter Rights Lab has three key areas they are focusing on. They are fighting worker suppression which includes automatic voter purges, cuts to early voting, and reduced pulling hours and locations. Expanding participation through early voting, equitable and accessible vote by mail, and other critical reforms. Their last key area is establishing fair elections by restoring the voting rights of formerly incarcerated citizens.

Please show your support and sign our Petition! Every signature is very much appreciated!

Stop Voter Discrimination