With one of the most divisive elections on the horizon and the world champing at the bit to see who the next president will be, it is strange to find that those with the most to gain from this election have some of the lowest voter turnout rates.
In the United States, until 1870 and the ratification of the 15th Amendment, only white men could vote in elections. After its passing, this included any man who was a citizen of the United States. The barrier to entry was still high, as people of color who wanted to vote were given literacy tests — which most citizens could not pass — or forced to pay a poll tax that they simply could not afford. 50 years later, the 19th Amendment allowed not only white women but also women of color to vote. Similar to men of color, women of color faced the same threats and issues. The era of voter harassment came to an end with the passing of the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act almost a hundred years after the first man of color could vote in the U.S. At least, that is how it is presented.
Although there may not be something physically barring entry to the underrepresented, there has recently been a surge in policies passed by state governments that have made it more difficult to vote — Texas being one of them.
From the last presidential election, there was about a 31% difference between the non-Hispanic white population and the Hispanic population who reported they voted. A difference this drastic suggests there is a systemic problem with our voting system that prevents a majority of an ethnic group from voting.
The gap in the voter turnout between younger voters can be attributed to a lack of knowledge on how to vote, while older voters cannot say the same. However, the reason is out of their control. Years of gerrymandering and marginalization have pushed Hispanics away from politics yet simultaneously made them the center of it. Voter laws only allowing certain forms of ID that many families may not have because of their immigration status further expands that gap.
To vote is a right and privilege so precious many have killed their egos, pride and have given their lives just to exercise that gift. Abstaining from voting is simply not an option our country can afford.
