Voter Suppression

Voter suppression, defined in this report as any behavior intended to deter an eligible voter from casting a ballot, has been an ongoing concern in the debate surrounding election law and election administration. This report outlines the history, practices, and legislation surrounding major suppression tactics in four categories: direct threats or intimidation, disinformation or scare tactics, disruption of an opponent's lines of communication, and challenging someone's right to vote. The report attempts to acknowledge the blurred boundaries between lawful campaigning and fraud prevention activities and voter suppression. A brief discussion on policy recommendations focused on ways to deter and mitigate the damage associated with suppression concludes the analysis.