24 States Tighten Voting Rules Affecting Black Voters

In recent years, the Republican Party has increasingly leveraged unfounded claims of voter fraud to erode public confidence in the electoral process and advocate for policies that restrict voter participation. Following a significant Republican surge in state legislatures in 2010 and the pivotal 2013 Shelby v. Holder ruling, numerous states enacted stringent voter ID laws that disproportionately impact marginalized groups, including Black, Latino, women, and young voters. As the November elections approach, Republican lawmakers are introducing additional measures aimed at limiting voter access. A report from the Movement Advancement Project highlights that since 2020, 24 states have adopted more restrictive voting policies, with a notable concentration of these laws affecting Black voters, particularly in Southern and Midwestern states. In total, lawmakers across 40 states have proposed 291 GOP-sponsored bills aimed at curtailing voting access. For instance, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey recently signed Senate Bill 1, which imposes restrictions on absentee ballot assistance, prompting legal challenges from advocacy groups seeking to block its enforcement. The Secretary of State’s Election Integrity Legislative Package encompasses several laws that create new barriers to voter participation. Among these, House Bill 506 requires individuals and organizations to register with the state before conducting voter registration drives, complicating the process for voters with disabilities. Additionally, Georgia's House Bill 1207 mandates that all election workers be U.S. citizens and limits the number of voting machines available, while Senate Bill 189 facilitates challenges to voter eligibility and allows for voter roll purges close to election day.