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Voter suppression laws are a hot topic these days. With Georgia passing new laws to change what is and isn’t allowed as people cast their ballots, Texas and many other states are possibly next to change their voting laws. Lawmakers’ motives are in question as they pass sweeping legislation that many claim would restrict minorities and the working class’s votes. During the 2020 election, our nation faced the task of finding a way for citizens to cast their votes while avoiding the transmission of a potentially deadly virus. Many cities allowed driver-thru voting and extended voting hours to accommodate voters. These accommodations created a buzz across the country, and now lawmakers are working to stop further accommodations in the future. Texas Senate Bill 7 would limit extended early voting hours, prohibit drive-thru voting and make it illegal for local election officials to proactively send applications to vote by mail to voters, even if they qualify. While some agree that clarification of voting laws would assist in fighting against vote fraud, others are stating that voter fraud is low and these laws harm people’s ability to vote. Many citizens claim these attacks on voting rights are overly discriminatory against minorities and mimic voting suppression laws from the past. Previously, these laws included poll taxes, literacy tests, and English-language requirements to reduce voting among African Americans, immigrants, women, and low-income populations. Gerrymandering or the drawing of district lines to benefit some is another form of voter suppression. The question now is how do you determine if a law is protecting voter rights or suppressing them? Are voting laws inherently racial? How do we ensure that all voters have an equally fair opportunity to vote? Voters in Texas and throughout the country are tasked with holding their local officials accountable and questioning changes to legislation. It’s important as the people of this country to remember that we can call, write, and book appointments with our local lawmakers to ensure the freedom of everyone. Voting is still something that many do not have the privilege to do and we should be grateful for the ability to do so. Education on voting and laws is important so before you cast your vote make sure to do your research. Voting today does not just impact your life now but the lives of those after you and for future generations. If you have any questions about a civil litigation case, contact a civil litigation lawyer in Arlington, TX, like the office of Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC.