Voter Suppression Tactics: Is it Partisan?
by Peter Grear 03/25/2018Educate, Organize and Mobilize:
Internationally, voter suppression tactics from Great Britain, Israel and Canada are similar. Invariably, voter suppression tactics are linked to the Koch Brothers and right-wing Republican Legislatures. Domestically, the attributions are the same, which is that Republicans are committed to voter suppression and gerrymandering as their blueprint for winning elections.
The Civic Engagement Project is important because the right to vote is fundamental to our democracy, I’ve promoted a non-partisan theory of voter enfranchisement. The right to vote is essential to the existence of the United States as a free and open society and shouldn’t be viewed in a partisan prism. The right to vote should be an issue of citizenship, not partisanship. Unfortunately, voter suppression appears to be a partisan pursuit. To provide a balanced presentation of world-wide voter suppression, since about September 2013, has been publishing articles and resources related to the right to vote.
Voter suppression tactics
Dan Russo of the Roanoke Times wrote that nationally, the right-wing Republicans are running their campaigns on the tactics of voter suppression and gerrymandering. Russo addressed various political points in his commentary but two are quite germane to our discussion. He contends and of course I agree, that “the tactics of voter suppression can be overwhelmed by a massive turnout of unimpeachable Democratic voters.” Note that he says “tactics.” In earlier commentaries I’ve written about Battling a “Hydra” and referred readers to Wikipedia to educate them on the many iterations of voter suppression.
It is important to constantly remind ourselves that voter suppression is about much, much more than voter ID.
Russo suggests that for the Democrats to get a massive turnout, they should make explicit what has been implicit. Consequently, He suggests that Democrats hold Republicans accountable for the financial collapse of 2008, denying climate change, opposing the Obamacare, tax cuts for the rich and tax hikes for the poor and middle classes. I agree with his conclusions about responsibility for these issues, but I am dubious about them leading to the massive turnout that we need.
Do we need an emotional issue to stir us up enough to vote
This is a mid-term election year and it is anticipated that Democrats will have a low voter turnout. However, to low information voters the turnout issues will probably amount to no more than “background noise” in November. For black voters, unfortunately we’re a bit different in certain respects; we need an emotional issue to stir us up enough to vote. Defeating voter suppression tactics is the most important Civil Rights issue in the last 50 years? It is past the time for us to fight for our communities and children. Do not let the clock turn back on them because of our complacency.
GDN covers news that is vital to unrepresented and underserved communities we need your financial support to help us remain viable.
Peter Grear, Esq. writes for Greater Diversity News with a primary focus on voter suppression. “Share” our articles, and your ideas and comments on Facebook or at our website www.GreaterDiversity.com. Please ask all of your Facebook “Friends” to follow the above-referenced recommendations. Additionally, please follow us on Twitter at @gdnunites.
No Comments so far
Jump into a conversationNo Comments Yet!
You can be the one to start a conversation.Only registered users can comment.