Safe and accessible voting is discouraged in many ways, at both the personal and structural levels:

2023 brought hundreds of pieces of new legislation to create barriers to voting in the majority of states (see the Brennan Center for details). Some laws are intended to prevent “voter fraud” (casting illegitimate ballots), while others purport to prevent “election fraud” (changing the counting of ballots).

History buffs will especially enjoy this short video, How to Rig an Election: The Racist History of the 1876 Presidential Contest, narrated by Tom Hanks and available on YouTube. Created by the Washington Post, it explains the end of Reconstruction and rise of Jim Crow laws.

NVC offers presentations to learn about barriers to voting and gerrymandering. Right-to-vote supporters are welcome to download the latest presentations for non-commercial use.

  1. Crushing American Democracy – Threats and Solutions. (Slides only)
  2. Crushing American Democracy – Threats and Solutions. (Slides and Notes)