Today, Explained It’s getting harder to vote in America
Jun 4, 2021
Ian Millhiser, Senior Correspondent for Vox, dives into the troubling rise of voter suppression laws in the U.S., particularly highlighting Texas's aggressive legislation. He discusses why certain voter suppression tactics pose greater threats to democracy, especially for African American communities. Millhiser explains strategic maneuvers by Texas Democrats to combat these measures, emphasizing the role of local election boards and gerrymandering. The conversation shines a light on the urgent need for voter education and legislative reform to protect voting rights.
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Texas Democrats' Walkout
- Texas Democrats staged a walkout to prevent a restrictive voting bill from passing.
- They left the House chamber to deny a quorum, exploiting a rule requiring two-thirds presence.
Targeting Souls to the Polls
- The Texas voting bill includes a provision restricting Sunday voting before 1 p.m.
- This appears to target "souls to the polls" drives common in Black churches, which predominantly support Democrats.
Voter Purge Concerns
- Voter purges, while seemingly reasonable for removing ineligible voters, pose a risk of disenfranchising legitimate voters.
- Texas has a history of problematic voter purges, including falsely flagging naturalized citizens.