Fact Check: "Critics call election delay a 'power grab' that disenfranchises voters"
What We Know
Following the 2020 United States presidential election, various Republican-led initiatives aimed at restricting voting access have been introduced across multiple states. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, over 425 bills aimed at limiting voting access were introduced in 49 states by October 2021, with 33 of these bills enacted in 19 states. These legislative efforts have been characterized by critics as attempts at voter suppression, disproportionately affecting minority voters and aimed at consolidating power over election administration (Brennan Center).
In particular, critics have labeled certain election-related measures as a "power grab." For instance, in Georgia, new rules introduced by Republican lawmakers have been described as undermining election certification processes, with David Becker, an election law expert, explicitly stating that these changes represent a "power grab" (CBS News). Additionally, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has also referred to these efforts as a "power grab," indicating widespread concern among civil rights organizations regarding the impact of these laws on voter disenfranchisement (ACLU).
Analysis
The claim that critics are calling election delays and related legislative measures a "power grab" is substantiated by multiple sources. The term "power grab" has been consistently used by election law experts and civil rights organizations to describe the actions taken by Republican lawmakers in the wake of the 2020 election. This characterization is grounded in the belief that these measures are designed to limit voter access and consolidate control over election processes, particularly in states where Democrats won key races (Brennan Center, CBS News).
Critics argue that these legislative changes are not merely about election security, as proponents claim, but rather about reducing voter turnout, particularly among demographics that tend to vote Democratic. This perspective is supported by historical context, where similar efforts have been shown to disproportionately affect Black and Latino voters (Brennan Center). The ACLU's response to these measures emphasizes the potential for disenfranchisement, further reinforcing the notion that these actions are viewed as a power consolidation tactic rather than genuine electoral reform (ACLU).
On the other hand, supporters of these measures argue that they are necessary to ensure election integrity and restore public confidence in the electoral process. However, this argument is often countered by evidence indicating that the 2020 election was one of the most secure in U.S. history, with widespread claims of fraud being debunked (Brennan Center).
Conclusion
The claim that critics are calling election delays and related legislative measures a "power grab" that disenfranchises voters is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources indicates that this characterization is widely accepted among civil rights organizations and election law experts. The ongoing legislative efforts to restrict voting access are perceived as attempts to consolidate power and undermine the democratic process, particularly affecting marginalized communities.
Sources
- Republican efforts to restrict voting following the 2020 United States presidential election
- Trump signed an order to reshape how elections in the US are run. Is it constitutional?
- ACLU Responds to Trump's Anti-Voter Executive Order
- New Republican-backed Georgia rules risk undermining election certification, critics say
- Georgia Supreme Court finds MAGA-aligned election rules unconstitutional
