Blocked from the Ballot Box

Effective participation in elections is at the heart of our political system, but not everyone is equally represented. Class and race disparities affect whether a person votes and how likely their ballot is to be counted—and inconsistent and inequitable rules exacerbate these inequities. Groups that experience more institutional barriers throughout the voting process and who are less likely to have their ballots counted are underrepresented in the political process, and public policies are less likely to protect their health, safety, and well-being. It can be difficult to even access clear, usable data about turnout and ballot rejections.