Voter suppression

Definition

Voter suppression encompasses a range of strategies used to decrease or hinder the ability of citizens to participate in the electoral process, thereby impacting election outcomes. It can be achieved through laws, administrative rules, and tactics that make voting more difficult for certain groups.

Related terms

Gerrymandering: The practice of manipulating the boundaries of electoral constituencies to favor one party or class.

Poll Taxes: A tax levied as a precondition for voting, historically used to prevent African Americans from voting in the Southern United States until outlawed by the 24th Amendment.

Literacy Tests: Tests ostensibly set up to determine whether a person possesses sufficient literacy skills in English to vote, but historically used to disenfranchise racial minorities