Myrtle Beach Sun News Logo

Republican voter suppression efforts under way | Myrtle Beach Sun News

×
  • E-edition
  • Home
    • Customer Service
    • Subscribe
    • Activate Your Account
    • Account Support
    • Mobile Apps
    • Newsletters
    • The Sun News Store
    • FAQ
    • Cancel SunValues Delivery
    • Plan
    • All Tourist Info
    • Vacation Planner
    • Calendar
    • Where to Stay
    • Ask a Local
    • Festivals Guide
    • Best of the Area
    • Play
    • Nightlife
    • Golf
    • Shopping
    • Shows
    • Myrtle Beach Blog
    • Restaurants

  • Obituaries
    • All News
    • Local News
    • Crime/Courts
    • Business
    • State News
    • Nation/World
    • Weird News
    • More News
    • Politics
    • Myrtle Beach Bike Rallies
    • Submit A News Tip
    • Tourism News
    • Real Estate News
    • All Sports
    • High Schools
    • Coastal Carolina
    • Recreation
    • Golf
    • MB Pelicans
    • Auto Racing
    • More Sports
    • College Sports
    • NFL
    • MLB
    • MB Marathon
    • Toast Of The Coast
    • Green Reading Blog
    • The Roost Blog
    • All Opinion
    • Letters To The Editor
    • Submit A Letter
    • Editorial
    • Cartoons
    • Columns & Blogs
    • Bob Bestler
    • All Living
    • Coasting
    • Neighbors
    • Food
    • Best Of The Beach
    • Announcements
    • Religion
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Home & Garden
    • All Entertainment
    • Kicks!
    • Best Of The Beach
    • Movies
    • Calendar
    • Contests
    • More Entertainment
    • Comics
    • Puzzles & Games
    • Horoscopes
    • Celebrities
    • Music
    • TV

  • Legals
  • Cars
  • Jobs
  • Moonlighting
  • Homes
  • Classifieds
  • Classified Ads

  • About Us
  • Mobile & Apps

Letters to the Editor

Republican voter suppression efforts under way

By Gary Parker

    ORDER REPRINT →

October 06, 2012 04:00 PM

There are times like around Election Day when it is timely to reflect on our noble national experiment of electing our own leaders. But then I think about recent efforts all over this country to erode our democracy: voter photo ID, redistricting and shortening the early voting time period. Having won control of several state legislatures, Republicans then moved to suppress the vote. This in the United States, the world’s leading democracy!

These actions were taken in the guise of preventing voter fraud. But what is the extent of fraud in U.S. elections? Studies have historically shown that it amounts to such a small extent in national and statewide elections that it is virtually nonexistent. And what is the effect of these actions? They are most likely to reduce the turnout of African-Americans, Latinos and the young. These groups of voters overwhelmingly vote Democratic.

So what is going on here? And why now?

I think it’s clear. Republicans, in blatantly partisan actions, are trying to lessen the turnout for Democratic candidates and increase the likelihood of Republicans being elected. The South Carolina legislature has joined in this travesty. This, even though evidence of fraud in elections cannot be presented.

SIGN UP

Sign Up and Save

Get six months of free digital access to The Sun News

SUBSCRIBE WITH GOOGLE

#ReadLocal

You know, we used to do this sort of thing in the South, that is, voter suppression. Now, around Election Day is a good time in the name of democracy and all those who fought and died for the right to vote, to think about what Republican legislatures all around the country have done.

The writer lives in Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.

  Comments  

Videos

Mark Kingston on South Carolina baseball’s ‘big’ season-opening series win

Duke’s RJ Barrett talks triple-double against NC State

View More Video

Trending Stories

Coroner IDs pedestrian killed near Myrtle Beach area Tanger Outlets

February 16, 2019 10:25 PM

Meet the Surfside Beach native who will be on CBS’ ‘Survivor: Edge of Extinction’

February 17, 2019 02:42 PM

How a night out in Myrtle Beach led to domestic violence charges for married couple

February 16, 2019 02:33 PM

Mugshots, Feb. 16

February 16, 2019 11:49 AM

Girlfriend let him have sex with another woman, but he lost his pants and $10K, NC cops say

February 17, 2019 05:25 PM

things to do

Read Next

Should we send students to jail for sassing the teacher?

Letters to the Editor

Should we send students to jail for sassing the teacher?

By Cindi Ross Scoppe Associate Editor

    ORDER REPRINT →

May 01, 2018 11:32 AM

South Carolina’s disturbing schools law that lets police arrest students who talk back to teachers or otherwise ‘act in an obnoxious manner’ could be repealed. A House committee votes Tuesday on a bill to limit the law to adults.

KEEP READING

Sign Up and Save

#ReadLocal

Get six months of free digital access to The Sun News

SUBSCRIBE WITH GOOGLE

MORE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the editor: I didn’t know I was an environmental zealot until I read Sen. Goldfinch’s op-ed

December 22, 2017 04:34 PM

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the editor: Use Lake Busbee for recreation

December 15, 2017 10:53 AM

Letters to the Editor

Seniors want to keep rubber bridge

December 08, 2017 03:36 PM

Letters to the Editor

Opioid crisis is killing us — we need solutions

December 08, 2017 03:12 PM

Letters to the Editor

Those trying to change Myrtle Beach for the better will be attacked

October 14, 2017 10:45 AM

Letters to the Editor

S.C. Autism Society ready to help Myrtle Beach mother

October 14, 2017 10:44 AM
Take Us With You

Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand.

Icon for mobile apps

Myrtle Beach Sun News App

View Newsletters

Subscriptions
  • Start a Subscription
  • Customer Service
  • eEdition
  • Vacation Hold
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Rewards
Learn More
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletters
  • News in Education
Advertising
  • Place a Classified
  • Advertise
  • Rates
  • Contests & Promotions
  • Local Deals
Copyright
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service


Back to Story