Title: Voting Rights Laws in Georgia Impact Turnout Rates Among Young Voters
Georgia has a long history of voter suppression, particularly affecting Black voters. The state has been at the center of battles over voting rights laws for decades, with stark differences in turnout between white and nonwhite communities. However, a recent study by Michael Podhorzer sheds light on the impact of changes to voting laws on turnout rates, particularly among young voters.
In 2012, during Barack Obama’s re-election campaign, the turnout rate for Black voters under 38 in Lowndes County, a Republican-leaning county in southern Georgia, was actually higher than the rate for white voters of a similar age. But by 2020, the turnout gap had widened significantly, with younger white voters showing a much higher turnout rate compared to Black voters of the same age.
The key turning point seems to be the 2013 Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder, which struck down a core section of the Voting Rights Act. This decision allowed counties and states with a history of racial discrimination, including Georgia, to change voting laws without federal oversight. Subsequent laws were passed that imposed restrictions on voting, such as limiting voting by mail and adding voter ID requirements.
Research from the Brennan Center and Podhorzer’s study both point to a growing racial turnout gap among young voters in areas that lost federal oversight after the Shelby decision. This trend is concerning for Democrats, especially in areas like Lowndes County, which has a significant young population due to Valdosta State University.
As the 2024 election approaches, turning out the youth vote will be crucial, particularly for President Biden. The impact of changes to voting laws on turnout rates among young voters underscores the importance of addressing voter suppression and ensuring equal access to the ballot box.
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