The United States has seen a wave of new voting restrictions in recent years, sparking a heated discussion over the future of American democracy. These restrictions, which are frequently defended as necessary to stop voter fraud, have a significant impact on the election’s accessibility and diversity.
The stricter voter identification requirements are among the most divisive features of this new legislation. Stronger ID requirements are argued to be required to protect the integrity of elections, but opponents point out that they disproportionately impact low-income people, people of color, and the elderly. These groups’ lower voter participation is caused by their decreased likelihood of owning the necessary forms of identification.
Several states have passed legislation restricting early voting and mail-in votes in addition to ID regulations. The COVID-19 outbreak brought attention to the significance of these voting options, but the new limitations made it more challenging for voters to cast their ballots away from conventional in-person polling places. Those who are unable to take time off work, do not have access to transportation, or have health issues that prevent them from casting a ballot in person may be most affected by these changes.
The removal of voters from the rolls and the shutting of polling places in communities with a high minority population are further examples of the erosion of voting rights. By limiting voting rights even more, these measures exacerbate already-existing disparities in the electoral system. The effect is obvious: fewer polling locations translate into lengthier wait times and queues, which may deter voters from casting their ballots.
The basic tenets of American democracy are directly threatened by the decline of voting rights. These additional restrictions violate the idea of representative democracy by making voting more difficult for specific groups of people. The possibility that the voices of the most marginalized may be silenced increases as voting becomes more challenging for some people, which could result in a democracy that is less inclusive and egalitarian.
