While most Americans set out to become better versions of themselves every year, the Republican Party has a different New Year’s resolution: passing even more egregious anti-voter laws in 2022.
After introducing over 440 laws that block access to the ballot box in 2021, Republicans in states across the country have introduced 28 anti-voter bills during the last week alone, bringing the total number of restrictive voting bills introduced in 2022 to 165. GOP politicians have been working diligently to restrict the freedom to vote, and some of the most appalling attacks on voting access have come from bills that have carried over from 2021. Some examples of the proposed restrictions include:
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Virginia – Virginia GOP Governor Glenn Youngkin announced plans to replace a top election official in the state, looking to place a partisan ally in the position. Additionally, Virginia Republicans have introduced 36 bills looking to restrict the freedom to vote since the start of the new session in 2022, including proposals to eliminate the permanent absentee voter roll, end no-excuse mail-in voting, and ban ballot drop boxes.
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Pennsylvania – GOP lawmakers in Pennsylvania have been working to pass constitutional amendments that would limit access to voting. These amendments include measures that allow for voter purges and fake election audits, which would silence the voices of Pennsylvania voters and create distrust in the election process.
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Arizona – An Arizona Senate committee advanced several restrictive voting bills that include extensive changes to accessible methods of voting, such as ending all-mail elections for cities and school boards, new burdensome requirements on paper ballots, and modifying the automatic recount threshold. These changes are not only inspired by false and debunked claims perpetuated by the Big Lie and Arizona’s sham election review, but would also make it harder for Arizonans to access the ballot box in local elections and could intimidate voters by violating their privacy, discouraging them from making their voices heard.
These attacks will persist, and the GOP will continue to introduce bills and take action to restrict Americans’ freedom to vote. We must stop these bills by electing candidates committed to protecting voting access in state and federal legislatures.
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