After reading guest columnist Carol Gerrond’s Nov. 7, 2024 column, Blessed, I understand that she is concerned (or “disturbed,” as she put it) about efforts to “make it easier to vote.” While I agree with her that voting is an important right, one that many have fought and died for, the goal of making voting more accessible is not to undermine that right but to ensure that ALL eligible voters, regardless of their circumstances, can exercise it without unnecessary barriers. Here are some key points for her to consider:
Voter suppression exists.
While voting has historically been a hard-won right, there are still significant barriers many Americans face in getting and staying registered, accessing the ballot box, and having their votes counted. These barriers include restrictive voter ID laws, voter roll purges, limited drop boxes, transportation issues, disability-related challenges, lack of time due to work or caregiving, and long wait times at polling places. A 2020 report from the Brennan Center for Justice found that long waits at polling places are “disruptive, disenfranchising, and all too common.” Making voting more accessible doesn’t diminish its importance; it acknowledges the reality that not everyone can easily vote on Election Day.
Voting should be accessible, not difficult.
If we truly believe in democracy, we must ensure that every citizen can participate, not just those who are fortunate enough to live in states like Illinois, who can afford time off from work, or who don’t face physical or logistical challenges. Making voting easier is about ensuring broad, inclusive participation, which ultimately strengthens democracy. We should all want that.
Encouraging participation is important.
The right to vote is a powerful tool in a democracy, but we shouldn’t assume that people will automatically appreciate or fully exercise it without effort. For many, the history of voting rights in the U.S. has been marked by suppression and disenfranchisement. Making voting more accessible is critical to ensuring that all voices are heard. For example, it’s unlikely that women voted with 100% participation in the first election following the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920. Even today, some citizens experience political intimidation. Encouraging participation despite these barriers is vital to the health of our democracy.
It’s not about “coaxing,” but empowerment.
Making voting easier isn’t about “coaxing” people into participating—it’s about empowering them to engage in the democratic process. No one should feel discouraged or believe that voting is too difficult or inaccessible, or worse, that they could face harm or violence. The more barriers we remove, the more likely we are to have a truly representative democracy.
Voting should be a fundamental right that everyone can access easily and without undue difficulty. Making it easier for eligible voters to cast their ballots is a way of honoring the sacrifices made by those who fought for the right to vote. It’s not about making the right less significant; it’s about ensuring that the process is fair, inclusive, and open to all.
Thank you,
Ruth Kapacinskas
Kewanee, Ill.
