WASHINGTON, DC – A recent report by the Brennan Center for Justice highlights a concerning trend in voter turnout disparities between white and nonwhite voters over the past decade. The report suggests that a significant factor contributing to this growing gap is a 2013 Supreme Court decision that weakened the Voting Rights Act.
Experts at the Brennan Center have expressed alarm over the widening racial turnout gap, emphasizing the negative implications for American democracy. Wendy Weiser, vice president for democracy at the Brennan Center, noted the troubling nature of this trend, urging attention and action to address the issue.
The report specifically points to the Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby County v. Holder, which suspended Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. This suspension has resulted in the racial turnout gap increasing most rapidly in areas previously covered under Section 5, according to the findings.
Furthermore, the enactment of new voting restrictions post-Supreme Court decision has exacerbated the turnout gap. Weiser highlighted the spike in restrictive voting laws across the country and the cumulative impact of these laws on voter participation.
Researchers found that the racial turnout gap in the 2022 midterms was higher than in any midterm elections since 2006. The gap between white voters and nonwhite voters, especially Black voters, has widened, indicating a significant shift in voter engagement dynamics.
The report underscores the potential influence of nonwhite voters on election outcomes, emphasizing that closing the racial turnout gap could have substantial effects. The call to restore the full Voting Rights Act as a means to address this disparity is a central recommendation put forth in the report.
However, achieving this goal may prove challenging, as political divisions and differing perspectives on voting rights reforms present obstacles. Despite these challenges, efforts to promote bipartisan support for initiatives aimed at closing the racial turnout gap are essential for safeguarding the integrity of the democratic process.