Despite the growing diversity in the South, Republican elected officials have yet to embrace it and instead, have sought to limit the political participation of these groups. Nearly all of the states in the former Confederacy have passed laws that restrict voting rights, which have a disproportionate impact on minority voters. From requirements of government-issued ID and requirements of proof of citizenship to reductions in early voting periods and felon disenfranchisement, these measures have the ability to bar millions of Americans from the polls this November. Not to mention the confusion that has arisen over the constantly changing laws and requirements.
Let Ari Berman of The Nation give you the details and dispel some of the confusion.
According to a new study by researchers at the University of Chicago and Washington University, voter identification laws may stop as many as 700,000 minorities under the age of 30 from voting on November 6.
Cathy Cohen of the University of Chicago says that 9 to 25% of this age group could be disenfranchised because of new voter ID laws.
17 percent of states have already enacted voter ID requirements or have those that will soon go into effect.
Judith Browne-Dianis, director of The Advancement Project, says that these new laws are likely to have a disproportionate impact on potential women voters. "Young women may be the hardest hit," says Browne-Dianis.
The Brennan Center for Justice reports that 11 percent of Americans do not possess the specific government-issued photo identification required to vote. There is an apparent racial disparity among those who have the appropriate forms of identification. While nine percent of whites lack the proper ID, 16 percent of Latinos and 25 percent of Blacks lack it.
Be sure to go to canivote.org to make sure you've met the requirements to vote in your state.
