Ann Ravel recently penned an article for the University of Memphis Law Review, titled “A New Kind of Voter Suppression in Modern Elections.” In her introduction, Ann briefly touches upon the history of voter suppression – noting that, at one point or another, women, slaves and Native Americans could not participate in elections – and explains that modern-day forms of voter suppression still exist. Ann makes her point clear: Any attempt to suppress a citizen’s right to vote – direct or indirect – is inconsistent with the ideals of the country.
Ann goes on to explain the differences between direct and indirect voter suppression, but she notes that they both have the same impact: “to affect the voter’s desire and the ability to cast a ballot for the purpose of suppressing participation in the democratic electoral process.”
She says that the campaign finance system has created a lack of trust, thereby resulting in lower participation in the electoral process. Factors like Supreme Court decisions and political gerrymandering have also played a role in causing distrust in the voting process, causing non-voters to make the decision not to vote.
To read the full article, please visit the University of Memphis Law Review.