{"id":351438,"date":"2020-03-17T09:36:43","date_gmt":"2020-03-17T14:36:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/voting\/how-do-i-protect-my-right-to-vote\/what-is-voter-suppression.html"},"modified":"2026-04-13T17:49:27","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T22:49:27","slug":"what-is-voter-suppression","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/voting\/how-do-i-protect-my-right-to-vote\/what-is-voter-suppression.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is Voter Suppression?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Is Voter Suppression?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Voter suppression<\/span> is any effort to prevent or discourage specific groups from voting or exercising their right to register to vote. Such tactics include restrictive ID laws, purging voter rolls<\/span>, and reducing polling places<\/span> to create hurdles for eligible U.S. citizens.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Voter suppression<\/span> happens when someone prevents or discourages a registered voter from voting or exercising their right to vote. The right to vote in free and fair elections is a foundational feature of our American democracy<\/span>. Fair elections are perhaps the most direct way for people to exercise the power democracy gives them. It allows the people to elect representatives and support their favored policies. It also allows them to hold the government accountable.<\/p>\n

This article discusses voter suppression<\/span> and the history of voting rights in the United States. The article begins by explaining voter fraud<\/span>, voter suppression<\/span>, and gerrymandering<\/span>. It then discusses the history of voting rights in America and recent changes to voting laws<\/span> aimed at preventing voter suppression<\/span>. It also covers how to recognize voter suppression<\/span> and what to do if you experience it.<\/p>\n

Understanding Voter Suppression<\/span><\/h2>\n

Voter suppression<\/span> happens when a group or person discourages or prevents an eligible voter<\/span> from casting a ballot. As the Brennan Center for Justice<\/span><\/a> points out, the “modern approach” to suppressing voters is characterized as \u201cdeath by a thousand cuts.” These methods often involve state laws that, when taken together, make it more difficult for eligible voters<\/span> to cast their ballots.<\/p>\n

Voter suppression<\/span> can take many forms, from restrictive laws to outright illegal activities. Some tactics are official government policies, while others involve intimidation or misinformation<\/span>. This article describes common voter suppression<\/span> tactics<\/span> and what to do if you experience them.<\/p>\n

Voter Suppression<\/span> vs. Voter Fraud<\/span><\/h2>\n

Voter suppression<\/span> is often confused with voter fraud<\/span>, but they are different problems. Voter suppression<\/span><\/strong> prevents or discourages eligible voters<\/span> from casting their ballots. This undermines democracy by silencing legitimate voters. Voter fraud<\/span><\/strong> occurs when ineligible people vote or when someone votes more than once in a single election. Research shows that voter fraud<\/span> is exceedingly rare<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Both voter suppression<\/span> and voter fraud<\/span> undermine free and fair elections, but they do so in different ways. Suppression prevents legitimate votes from being counted, while fraud adds illegitimate votes to the count.<\/p>\n

Related Issue: Gerrymandering<\/span><\/h2>\n

Gerrymandering<\/span><\/a>\u200b is a related but distinct issue from voter suppression<\/span>. Gerrymandering<\/span> is the practice of redrawing political district boundaries to give one party an unfair advantage. The term comes from Elbridge Gerry’s attempt<\/a>\u200b to redraw Massachusetts’s district lines in 1812.<\/p>\n

While gerrymandering<\/span> doesn’t prevent people from voting, it can dilute the power of their votes. Political parties can strategically redraw district lines<\/a>\u200b to gain a partisan advantage, reduce an incumbent’s chances <\/a>of reelection<\/a>, drop\u00a0potential political challengers<\/a>, or\u00a0dilute minority votes<\/a>. By “packing” voters with similar political views into a few districts or “cracking” them across many districts, gerrymandering<\/span> reduces the impact of those votes on election outcomes.<\/p>\n

Types of Voter Suppression<\/span> Tactics<\/span><\/h2>\n

Voter suppression<\/span> tactics<\/span> range from official state laws that make voting more difficult to illegal activities designed to prevent people from casting ballots. Some forms of <\/span>voter suppression<\/span> are difficult to spot because they have legitimate goals, such as preventing fraud or reducing costs. Understanding these tactics helps voters recognize when their rights may be at risk.<\/p>\n

Restrictive Voter ID Laws<\/span><\/h3>\n

Strict <\/span>voter ID laws<\/span><\/a>\u200b can suppress voters by creating barriers to obtaining acceptable identification. While some states have voter ID requirements<\/span> to prevent voter fraud<\/span>, critics argue that certain laws are designed to make voting more difficult for specific groups of people. Research suggests that some laws may have a \u201cdisparate impact\u201d by unintentionally targeting communities of color<\/span>, even if that is not the stated intent.<\/p>\n

Restrictive documentation requirements, such as requiring specific types of\u00a0photo ID<\/span>\u00a0and proof of address, can create barriers for\u00a0eligible voters<\/span>\u00a0who lack these documents. The SAVE Act of 2026, if enacted, would require that\u00a0photo IDs<\/span>,\u00a0such as driver\u2019s licenses, match the name on birth certificates, creating a new hurdle for anyone who has changed their last name (such as married women).<\/p>\n

Voter Registration<\/span> Restrictions<\/h3>\n

States may suppress voters through restrictions on voter registration<\/span>, including:<\/p>\n