As the clock ticks down to the 2024 U.S. presidential election, advocacy groups are sounding the alarm regarding the escalating threats to voter rights, particularly among minority communities. Celina Stewart, the Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of the United States, recently emphasized the importance of voters having access to accurate information and updating their voter registration in a timely manner. She highlighted the organization’s initiative, Vote411.org, which serves as a comprehensive resource for voters—offering registration checks and updates, candidate information, campaign finance transparency, and polling place details, all available in both English and Spanish. Stewart noted that the League has branches nationwide, actively hosting candidate forums to encourage dialogue between voters and candidates, while also combating misinformation online to ensure voters receive correct information. She urged voters to verify and update their registration, explaining that some may be unaware they have been removed from the voter rolls.

Andrew Garber, a legal advisor for the Brennan Center for Justice’s voting rights program at New York University, pointed out a troubling trend from 2020 to 2024. During this period, 30 states implemented 78 restrictive voting laws, while 41 states passed 168 measures aimed at easing voting restrictions. He explained that these restrictions often cite the need to prevent election fraud, despite a lack of evidence to support their necessity. For instance, Georgia passed laws limiting mail-in voting after witnessing an increase in mail-in ballots from minority communities during the pandemic.

Robert Pape, a political science professor at the University of Chicago, warned that the threat of political violence in the U.S. is at its highest point in decades. He referenced several violent incidents, including the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting and the 2022 Buffalo supermarket attack, illustrating the rising risks posed by political extremism. Pape’s research indicates that about 15 million Americans support former President Trump, with roughly one-third of them owning firearms. He specifically mentioned that ballot counting centers could become targets for violent attacks.

May Tiwamangkala, a director of democracy advocacy at the Arizona Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander for Equity, shared insights into the challenges facing her state. New legislation mandates stricter proof of citizenship from voters, risking removal from voter rolls and even potential criminal investigations for those unable to comply within the required timeframe. Coupled with heightened anti-immigrant sentiment and rising living costs, these factors threaten to dampen voter turnout in minority communities.

Pape concluded by stressing that the period following elections, particularly during vote counting and certification, is a vulnerable time for political violence. He, along with Garber, called on state governors to unite in condemning violence and to ensure the safety of election officials. They both urged media outlets to highlight the positive voting experiences of the majority of voters, encouraging citizens to make their voting plans and maintain confidence in the electoral process.