Democrats’ 2024 postmortems keep neglecting the effects of voter suppression

The current focus in mainstream political discussions revolves around strategies for Democrats to regain voters lost in the 2024 presidential race, yet voter suppression is notably absent from these conversations. While various theories are being presented to explain the Democrats’ challenges, the issue of voter suppression is arguably the most significant obstacle they face. Despite different opinions on what went wrong for Democrats last year, the impact of voter suppression cannot be ignored.

Efforts to attract different voter groups and debates about the party’s direction may have their merits, but addressing voter suppression is crucial for future Democratic victories. The environment of widespread voter suppression is evident in the numerous laws passed last year that made voting more difficult than in 2020. While some analyses may oversimplify the situation, understanding the impact of voter suppression on the election outcome is essential.

The sequence of events leading to the 2024 election outcome, from expanded ballot access in 2020 to the introduction of voter suppression measures by Republicans, highlights the critical role of voter suppression. The decrease in voter turnout and Trump’s victory in 2024 underscore the need to address voter suppression as a significant threat to Democratic electoral success. Failure to recognize the impact of voter suppression on the election outcome may lead Democrats to overlook a key factor in their future electoral prospects.