WASHINGTON (AURN News) — Nearly one in two Black Americans now lives in a state with some of the country’s most restrictive voting laws, according to a new national report showing the divide has widened dramatically since 2021.
The Movement Advancement Project examined changes to state election laws since 2021 and found that 28 states adopted policies that lowered their overall democracy scores, indicating more restrictive voting rules, while 21 adopted policies that raised their scores.
More than 130 million eligible voters now live in states with tougher voting rules, including stricter voter identification requirements, fewer ballot drop boxes, shorter early voting periods and, in some states, proof-of-citizenship requirements to register.
The report also found that Black Americans are disproportionately affected.
While about one-third of eligible voters live in states with the lowest democracy scores, researchers say the racial and regional disparities have only grown wider.
Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.
