The right to vote is the foundation of American democracy. However many Americans face significant obstacles in exercising this fundamental right. These obstacles range from lack of election information to barriers at polling places.(1) The coronavirus pandemic further exacerbated these barriers.(2) According to the 2022 American National Election Studies (ANES) Pilot Study, 69% of registered voters reported encountering some form of difficulty while voting.(3) Furthermore, these challenges disproportionately affect certain groups, leading to voter suppression and reduced turnout.(4)(5) Research shows that Democratic and Republican voters often face different voting difficulties. Understanding these differences is critical because voting obstacles can influence voter participation and potentially alter election results. This analysis aims to address the following research question:
Do Democratic voters or Republican voters experience more difficulty voting?
We created this group analysis in hopes the answer could reveal disparities in the voting experience between these groups and highlight whether specific challenges disproportionately impact one party. Identifying systemic biases or voter suppression linked to demographic and geographic factors can provide valuable insights for governments aiming to make voting more accessible and fair. A better understanding of these challenges can help develop targeted initiatives to reduce obstacles, increase voter turnout, and ensure a more equitable voting process for everyone.
Citations
1: “Executive Order on Promoting Access to Voting.” (2021). https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/03/07/executive-order-on-promoting-access-to-voting/
2: Pew Research Center. “3. The voting experience in 2020.” (2020). https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2020/11/20/the-voting-experience-in-2020/
3: 69% is the percentage of registered voters based on the ‘reg’ variable that did not mark “vharder_12” or “none of these”, indicating they experienced some form of difficulty (marked at least one difficulty out of variables “vharder_1-11”)
4: American Progress. “Enhancing Accessibility in U.S. Elections.” (2021). https://www.americanprogress.org/article/enhancing-accessibility-u-s-elections/
5: Brennan Center. “The Impact of Voter Suppression on Communities of Color.” (2022). https://www.brennance