Voter suppression的意思

"Voter suppression" is a term used to describe tactics and methods that are intended to make it harder for eligible voters to cast their ballots or to reduce the overall turnout in an election. These efforts can be aimed at specific groups of people, such as racial minorities, low-income individuals, young people, or certain political groups, and they can be implemented through various means, including:

  1. Voter ID laws: Requiring voters to present government-issued photo identification, which can be burdensome for those who do not have such ID or find it difficult to obtain.

  2. Registration restrictions: Making it harder for people to register to vote or to maintain their registration, such as by shortening the registration deadline or implementing strict rules for voter registration drives.

  3. Polling place changes: Reducing the number of polling places, which can lead to longer lines and make it harder for people to vote, especially in areas with large populations or limited transportation options.

  4. Early voting restrictions: Limiting the number of days or hours for early voting, which can make it harder for people with busy schedules or those who work long hours to vote.

  5. Excessive purges of voter rolls: Removing voters from the rolls for minor discrepancies or without proper notice, which can lead to eligible voters being turned away on Election Day.

  6. Discriminatory redistricting: Drawing electoral district boundaries to dilute the voting power of certain groups, a practice known as gerrymandering.

  7. Intimidation tactics: Using law enforcement or private groups to intimidate voters, especially in minority communities.

  8. Restrictions on voting rights: Implementing laws that disproportionately affect certain groups, such as felony disenfranchisement laws that prevent people with certain criminal records from voting.

Voter suppression can be a controversial issue, with proponents of such measures arguing that they are necessary to prevent voter fraud, while critics contend that such measures are often used to disadvantage certain groups and undermine democracy by disenfranchising eligible voters. The debate over voter suppression often intersects with discussions about election integrity, access to voting, and the fairness of the electoral process.