Over the past few weeks voters all across the nation and the state of Ohio have begun the voting process for the 2020 presidential election. However, in Ohio especially there appears to be an issue of voter suppression. Frank LaRose, the official in charge of elections in Ohio, purposefully made it so there would only be one early voting location per county. While this may not seem like an issue on the surface, it carries with it problematic historical ties. The issue with delegating voting locations based on counties is that the access to voting is being determined by land and not by the number of people in an area. This is historically a mechanism used to garner more votes or more access to voting for conservative leaning voters. People with further right leaning political views tend to settle in the more rural parts of the country. Meanwhile, cities and areas with denser populations tend to lean more left. By not providing more voting locations for more densely populated areas, Frank Larose is creating longer lines in these more democratic parts of the state. This is in turn making it more difficult for left leaning voters to get their ballots in. This is an example of systemic injustice because it is utilizing strategies that have been exercised for centuries. Since the conception of this country there has been arguments over whether land or people matter more in states rights and influence. This can be seen in the constitution and in compromises made following its inception. The long history of this trend is strong evidence that it is systemic and not simply an isolated event. Additionally, there is no denying that race plays a big part in this issue. The number of people of color living in the more densely populated areas tends to be much higher than that of the more rural towns. It is undeniable that by forcing the people of these cities to wait in significantly longer lines disadvantages people of color. This is effectively attempting to silence their vote. This is a reflection of a long standing tragic history in this nation, dating all the way back to the 1800’s when Jim Crow laws and poll taxes blatantly discriminate against black americans.
Smith, Terrance. “Timeline: Voter Suppression in the US from the Civil War to Today.” ABC News, ABC News Network, 2020, abcnews.go.com/Politics/timeline-voter-suppression-us-civil-war-today/story?id=72248473
Great post! I think that the information that you are sharing is extremely important. I have heard, on both sides of the aisle, that issues similar to what you highlighted are becoming more prominent this election cycle than ever before. I honestly think that it is a sign of the times, of how tense our country is right now. It is difficult to correct these issues as a college student right now, but I do feel that it is important that we use our voices in the future to create a safer space for politics in general.
I drove my friend to drop off her ballot (I mailed mine in) and the lines for early voting and the time it took for her to get to that one box in Franklin County were quite long. Many people may not be able to spend hours voting or may not have access to transportation to get there. My friends and I thought there should be a better way. I also recently saw an article about how Iowa, a swing state, recently closed many polling places last minute due to Covid-19, affecting many voters. I think voting should be open and accessible for everyone instead of a long arduous selective process, because right now it is suppressing the will of the people.