Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

JHan

(10,173 posts)
Mon Oct 15, 2018, 10:39 PM Oct 2018

The Myth of the Lazy Nonvoter

Not sure if this has been posted yet.

"Ever since key federal protections were dismantled by the Supreme Court in 2013 – including portions of the Voting Rights Act, which required some states and localities with a history of discrimination to obtain federal permission before changing voting procedures — state lawmakers have had more latitude than ever to enact laws affecting whether, how and when one can vote in a federal election.

To explore the hurdles that voters face this election, we created five voter profiles: the voter with no ID, the procrastinator, the student, the working parent, and the convicted felon.

The Impact of Restrictive Voting Laws

According to the Brennan Center for Justice, since 2010, at least 23 states have enacted laws restricting the ability to vote in some manner, including many states with competitive midterm races. These new laws limit early voting, make registration more difficult and introduce stricter photo-ID requirements, factors that particularly affect African-American, Hispanic, low-income and young voters. The outcomes in those states this November could hinge on which Americans — eager as ever to participate — are actually able to cast a ballot.

The Brennan Center estimates that as many as 11 percent of eligible voters do not have, and will not get, the documents required by strict voter-ID laws, and these numbers are higher for certain groups.

“Paperwork requirements are the No.1 way to suppress the right to vote,” Ms. Lang said.

Some of the states that enacted stricter voter-ID requirements after 2010 saw a significant reduction in voter turnout in subsequent elections."


Republicans have gamed the system to their advantage, but they aren't Gods - they bleed just like us. Some of our candidates are competitive in States /districts we never dreamed would be in contention just a few years ago. Dems are also fighting Republican efforts to limit the franchise at the state-level where they occur. Voter suppression and Republican disdain for democratic norms is no reason for cynicism or hopelessness, they are reasons to intensify our efforts to GOTV and vote blue.

4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
 

LBM20

(1,580 posts)
2. There are WAY too many who simply don't go and VOTE when they CAN! Enough excuses!
Mon Oct 15, 2018, 10:50 PM
Oct 2018

I'm not saying that the ReSCUMliCONS don't cheat, but get real! MILLIONS refuse to vote when they fucking-A know they CAN vote.

Enough lame excuses. There are MILLIONS of young voters who have countless hours to play xbox but they won't go vote. Do not give us excuses. Staying home doesn't help win the POWER to stop the voter suppression. So enough excuses. GET OFF ASSES, GET UP OFF THE COUCH, PUT DOWN THE VIDEO GAMES AND CELL PHONES AND GO FUCKING VOTE! OR DO NOT BITCH!

JHan

(10,173 posts)
3. Yes, people should go out and vote when they can. Obviously.
Mon Oct 15, 2018, 11:01 PM
Oct 2018

We should also understand voter suppression tactics.

And pay attention to SoS elections.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»The Myth of the Lazy Nonv...