Over the past year, several states have attempted to implement laws that, in practice, will greatly restrict access to the ballot box. Lawmakers have designed legislation to restrict access to the polls by shortening the early voting period, eliminating Election Day registration, making it harder for third-party groups to register voters, and restricting the types of identification a voter can use to vote.

While proponents defend these bills by using false claims of widespread voter fraud, it is hard not to see the underlying intent is to erect barriers to make voting more difficult. Instead of eliminating fraud, these laws have the effect of discouraging voting among minorities, low-income voters, the elderly, voters with disabilities, young people, women, and low-wage workers.