Black Communities and Voter Suppression

By Starla Probst

It's no secret that we are living in turbulent times and a key moment in the history of the United States. The integrity of our democracy is at stake with our right to vote being endangered. Due to the current health crisis, many Americans are opting for voting by mail, which has not come without pushback. Various tactics are being used by governments and various groups to deter people from voting, especially in battleground states. This is incredibly important due to the fact that voter turnout is a key factor in swaying the election. Historically, higher voter turnout leads to conservative losses. In this election, with conservatives being represented by Republicans, a high voter turnout could likely result in a Republican loss. In Harris County, one of the largest counties in the country, totaling at 4.6 million people, Governor Greg Abbott attempted to close 11 out of 12 ballot drop-off boxes. This would make it incredibly difficult for the majority of Harris County’s large population to vote. However, this isn't the only attempt at voter suppression we are experiencing right now.

According to The Washington Post, a robocall is targeting black communities in battleground states, attempting to deter people from voting by mail. The robocall claims that information of mail-in voters will be shared with police and credit card companies, so if you have a warrant or any outstanding debt, you are in danger. These false claims were organized by Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman, conservatives who have since been faced with felony charges for their attempts at voter intimidation.

This is incredibly important as Black communities have historically leaned to the progressive side of politics. By targeting Black communities, conservative groups are deterring a large amount of the voting population away from the polls. These communities are deliberately being attacked, and we all must arm ourselves against misinformation.

To insure your vote is not in jeopardy:

1. Check your voter registration frequently—there have been many reports of voter registrations being deleted.

2. Know your deadlines—check local deadlines for registration and voting by mail. It’s best to get your ballot in no later than the 20th because it takes 2 weeks to deliver, according to the USPS.

3. Know polling locations and drop-off boxes in your area and ensure that you know where to vote and which locations are still open.