Voter suppression has been a recurring issue in the U.S. political system, despite the promises of equality and fairness. In June 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby County v. Holder weakened the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
The ruling eliminated the requirement for states with a history of voter discrimination to submit changes in election laws to the U.S. Justice Department for approval. As a result, 25 states enacted new laws that imposed more barriers to voting.
Historical struggles for voting rights reflect ongoing battles for equality (Photo: Alamy)Early Voter Suppression
The early period of American democracy fell short of the ideals laid out by the nation’s founders, as voting rights were initially reserved for land-owning white men. Over time, state laws evolved, allowing more people, such as farmers and commoners, to vote, but this did not extend to everyone.
In 1776, New Jersey briefly granted voting rights to all residents, only to reverse the decision soon after, disenfranchising women and Black men. Groups such as Native Americans, African Americans, women, and immigrants were systematically excluded from voting, while states like Maryland even banned Jewish people from voting.
The 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, was intended to prevent voting rights from being denied on the grounds of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. However, it still allowed individual states to regulate elections.
In the wake of the Civil War, Mississippi Democrats were furious when two Black men were elected to the U.S. Senate. To reclaim power, they used intimidation tactics at the polls, and by 1881, white Democrats were back in control.
Mississippi also introduced the “grandfather clause,” which allowed anyone whose grandfather had been eligible to vote before the Civil War to register. This strategy reduced the percentage of Black voters from over 90% to below 6% by 1892. Women remained disenfranchised.
The Fifteenth Amendment
The passage of the 15th Amendment aimed to protect voting rights, but various states still found ways to undermine the intent of the law. Poll taxes, literacy tests, and language requirements were employed to intentionally disenfranchise African Americans, immigrants, and the poor. These tactics, which became known as Jim Crow Laws, were used for decades, particularly in the Southern states.
Voting Rights Act of 1965
The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote in 1920, but this right was largely inaccessible to women of color. The civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s brought national attention to the ongoing racial inequality in the U.S., with voting rights as a key area of focus.
Many states continued using poll taxes to prevent marginalized groups from voting. Others, using grandfather clauses, restored voting rights to white individuals who had previously lost the right due to their inability to pay poll taxes. The passage of the 24th Amendment in 1964 abolished poll taxes, but this was not enough to ensure full access to the vote for African Americans.
In response to the ongoing oppression, civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and John Lewis participated in the historic 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. The violence that occurred during this peaceful protest, including state troopers beating and attacking demonstrators, was broadcasted to the world.
This pivotal moment prompted the U.S. government to take action, leading to the passage of the Voting Rights Act. This legislation banned the most commonly used voter suppression methods and implemented federal oversight in districts with histories of discriminatory practices.
The Act empowered Black women, Native Americans, and immigrants with the right to vote, marking a critical victory in the battle against voter suppression.
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Following the Voting Rights Act of 1965, changes took place. In light of the Vietnam War, young Americans advocated for the right to vote, arguing that if they could be drafted to serve, they should have the ability to participate in the democratic process. The 26th Amendment, ratified in 1971, lowered the voting age to 18.
As racial diversity increased in the U.S. during the 1970s and 80s, the Voting Rights Act was expanded to protect language minority groups. This legislation required local governments to provide voting materials in various languages and offer multilingual assistance at polling stations.
In addition, the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 mandated that states allow mail-in registration and enable people to register at offices offering public assistance.
Voter Suppression Reappears
Despite the progress made in the mid-20th century, voter suppression did not completely disappear. In 2013, the Shelby County v. Holder Supreme Court decision weakened the Voting Rights Act by removing the preclearance provision, which had required federal review of election law changes in areas with histories of discrimination.
From poll taxes to literacy tests, tactics have evolved to limit access to the vote (Photo: Getty Images)Without this federal oversight, many states began introducing new measures to restrict voting access. These included voter identification laws, which require citizens to show proof of citizenship to register, and the purging of voter rolls.
Additionally, some states reduced early voting periods, leaving voters with fewer options to cast their ballots. Election day has also become a challenge for many, as long lines, malfunctioning machines, and limited absentee voting options plague voters across the country.
The Ongoing Struggle for Voting Rights
The battle for voter rights has been further complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which raised concerns about in-person voting. Millions of Americans faced economic hardships, with many at risk of losing their homes.
If they failed to update their voter registration after relocating, they could lose their ability to vote. Finding affordable housing during the pandemic was nearly impossible, and while a national eviction moratorium was enacted, Congress did not pass sufficient rent relief measures.
With millions of people at risk of losing their homes, there are fears that the integrity of the electoral process could be compromised. Lawmakers must take action to ensure that all Americans, particularly those from low-income communities, have the resources and support to participate in the election process.
Voter suppression has persisted throughout U.S. history, and even in the modern era, it remains an important issue. While progress has been made, the battle to protect the right to vote continues. Steps must be taken to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background or economic status, has access to the ballot box and can have a voice in the democratic process.