Raw Story - New GOP laws could suppress five million Democratic voters

According to new research reviewed by David Edwards at Raw Story, the GOP has been systematically passing laws that disenfranchise five million "young, minority, low-income, and disabled voters, all groups that tend to vote for Democrats." In other words, business as usual for the GOP.

The report found that states that have already curtailed voting rights represent 171 of the 270 electoral votes necessary for winning the presidency. Five of the 12 likely battleground states have already cut back rights. Across the nation, 19 new voting restrictions have passed, 68 have failed and 42 more are still pending.

New Photo ID restrictions in Kansas, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin could disenfranchise up to 3.2 million voters, the study found. Another 2.6 million voters could be suppressed by proof of citizenship laws, laws restricting voter registration drives, election day registration restrictions, reduced early voting and restrictions on when convicted felons may have their voting rights restored.

Read more about this issue.

Read even more, from the original documents:

• The Brennan Center for Justice report, “Voting Law Changes in 2012” (PDF)
• Wendy R. Weiser and Lawrence Norden offer an executive summary (PDF)