Election season is nearing once again and voting during the pandemic is becoming a highly-discussed issue. Though the 2020 election boasted record-breaking numbers, the pandemic created a unique set of barriers in voting. This season, as the ballot boxes heat up voters are pressing their way to make their voices heard by any means necessary.
African Americans have always had to fight for their right to vote. From its inception, voting for Black people included various laws and regulations that kept African Americans from polls. Recently, new laws threaten the Black vote in a historically similar way. As Black voters came out in massive numbers for the 2020 election, lawmakers went back to the table to create stricter guidelines for voting.
Arizona, Florida, Georgia and Texas have all led the charge in enacting strict and cumbersome voting laws in response to former president Donald Trump’s unceremonious exit from power. After rants of vote tampering, these states, along with 15 others have implemented approximately 33 laws that would create barriers for voters. Under these laws, there is now a shorter window to apply for a mail-in ballot, votes can be purged or thrown away, eliminating food and water for those standing in line to vote, increasing voters per precinct and harsher identification guidelines.
In Michigan, while there is an identification require when voting, those who are missing a valid form of
identification have the right to vote and for their vote to be accepted. In this case, voters must sign an affidavit stating their identity.
Black voters in Black neighborhoods often see longer lines and worse voting conditions than their counterparts. Targeting these communities, new voting laws may have a larger scaled impact on African American communities. With traditionally low voter turnout, Black communities across the country showed there is power in numbers.
Despite the pandemic, voters, Black voters in particular, continued to press their way towards
Democratic expression. Michigan is among the states who, for now, has kept their voting regulations largely the same. While Michigan state republicans are pushing to overhaul ID requirements, voting in Michigan remains unchanged. In early October, Governor Gretchen Whitmer used her executive power to veto several bills, including House Bills 4492, 4837, and 4838 that would put Michigan on the list of states enacting laws viewed as suppressive.
“I will always protect our civil rights and stand up for our democracy that countless Americans have fought to preserve,” says Governor Whitmer. “That’s why I vetoed legislation that would have perpetuated the ‘Big Lie’ or made it harder for Michiganders to vote. Right now, Michigan Republicans are participating in a coordinated, national attack on voting rights that is designed to undermine confidence in our election system and systematically disenfranchise Black voters, communities of color, older voters, and college students. I will have no part in any effort that grants an ounce of credence to this deception, so harmful to our democracy.”
In September, The Freedom to Vote Act was introduced by a group of Democratic senators to help cause a much needed reform to voting regulations including dissuading voter suppression and laws that create racial, economic and class barriers in voting. Under the Act, all states would have to allow early voting, there would be a national standard for mail-in ballots, Election Day would be declared a national holiday permitting potential days off to a number of voters thus creating ease of access to the polls, address voter disabilities and voter identification. The Center for American Progress is working in favor of the act.
“The Senate must act now to prevent these states from subverting our democracy,” says Ben Olinsky, Senior Vice President of Structural Reform and Government at the Center for American Progress. “These harmful state measures are a blatant attempt to suppress voters and undermine the legitimacy of elections. Passing the Freedom to Vote Act would be a major step in reversing these discriminatory anti-voting efforts and help ensure that partisan officials cannot sabotage valid election results.”
Each registered voter has the right to submit their ballot in each election. Though some states have imposed strict laws, voters are still able to visit polls and cast their ballots on Election Day. For those unable to visit the pools in person, may vote from the comforts of their own home.
Voting absentees had caused a shake up in the American democratic system. Since the pandemic implemented stay-at-home and social distancing orders, absentee ballots have become one of the safest ways to submit votes. Also known as mail-in voting, absentee ballots are available for every eligible voter across the state. To request an absentee ballot, voters can apply online at Michigan.gov/Vote or submit an application, large print application, letter, or postcard to the local clerk. Registered voters can also pick up an absentee ballot from their local clerk’s office.
The pandemic has made voting more difficult, but not impossible. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has provided a guideline to keep both voters and election officials and poll workers safe. Social distancing measures will still be in place while masks will be required for all officials and workers. Voters will be encouraged to wear a mask, but it is not mandatory.
“Michigan citizens can cast their ballots safely and with confidence in this election,” says Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. “All election workers are required to wear masks and all voters are strongly encouraged to do so. Voters who already have absentee ballots can drop them off at their city or township clerk’s office or ballot drop box. Voters can also go to their local clerk’s office through Nov. 2 to vote early by requesting and submitting an absentee ballot.”
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