Answer :
Final answer:
Voter suppression encompasses a range of tactics aimed at disenfranchising certain voter demographics in the U.S., with strict voter ID laws and reduced voting accessibility being some examples. These practices have been criticized for targeting minority and low-income voters while combating a nearly non-existent issue of voter fraud.
Explanation:
The issue of voter suppression is a significant concern in the United States, where various tactics are utilized to disenfranchise certain groups of voters, particularly minorities and the economically disadvantaged. Practices such as the enactment of strict voter ID laws, cutting down on early voting opportunities, and the elimination of same-day registration are seen as barriers that could deter eligible voters from participating in elections. Particularly controversial are the laws that have emerged post-2013, following the Supreme Court's decision to roll back provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which allowed states to implement voter identification laws without federal approval.
Of particular note are instances in states like Georgia and Texas, where voters faced challenges such as long wait times and reduced voting station access, respectively. Critics argue that these laws address a virtually non-existent issue of voter fraud, citing Department of Justice statistics, while disproportionately affecting groups that might typically vote against the suppressing party's interests.
