13 Discriminatory Practices in Politics
1. Voter Suppression
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- Voter Intimidation
- Felony Disenfranchisement
- Voter Registration Restrictions
- Voter ID Laws
- Limited Access for People with Disabilities
- Disparate Impact of Election Policies
- Disenfranchisement of Native American Voters
- Economic Barriers to Political Participation
- Access to Information
- Targeted Voter Purges
- Reduction of Early Voting Periods
- Poll Closures in Minority Communities
- Voter Roll Inaccuracies and Errors
- Intentional Misinformation Campaigns
2. Gerrymandering
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- Partisan Gerrymandering
- Racial Gerrymandering
- Prison Gerrymandering
- Gerrymandering for Incumbency Protection
- Gerrymandering to Dilute Urban Votes
- Gerrymandering to Concentrate Minority Votes
3. Election Administration Issues
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- Long Lines at Polling Places
- Malfunctioning Voting Machines
- Insufficient Staffing
- Inadequate Resources in Certain Precincts
- Voter ID Law Implementation Issues
- Inconsistent Application of Election Laws
- Voter Roll Maintenance Problems
- Inadequate Provision for Absentee and Mail-In Voting
4. Language Barriers
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- Lack of Multilingual Ballots
- Inadequate Translation of Voting Materials
- Language Access at Polling Places
- Voter Education Efforts in Non-English Speaking Communities
5. Corporate Influence in Politics
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- Dark Money Contributions
- Super PAC Spending
- Lobbying Expenditures
- Revolving Door Influence (between corporations and government)
- Corporate-Friendly Legislation
- Regulatory Capture
6. Undue Influence of Special Interest Groups
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- Lobbying by Special Interest Groups
- Political Action Committees (PACs)
- Industry-Funded Research and Think Tanks
- Astroturfing and Fake Grassroots Campaigns
- Issue Advocacy Advertising
- Revolving Door Influence (between special interest groups and government)
7. Systemic Racism in the Political System
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- Historical and Ongoing Discrimination Against Black Voters
- Discrimination Against Hispanic/Latinx Voters
- Discrimination Against Asian American and Pacific Islander Voters
- Intersectional Discrimination: Race, Gender, and Other Identities
- Voter ID Laws with Disproportionate Impact on Minority Communities
- Targeted Voter Suppression Tactics in Communities of Color
8. Gender Discrimination in Politics
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- Barriers to Women’s Political Participation
- Gender Bias in Electoral Processes and Campaigns
- Lack of Representation for Women in Political Leadership Roles
- Gender Pay Gap in Politics
- Sexual Harassment and Gender-Based Discrimination in Political Spaces
9. LGBTQ+ Discrimination in Politics
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- Barriers to LGBTQ+ Voter Participation
- Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ Candidates and Elected Officials
- Lack of LGBTQ+ Inclusive Policies and Representation
- Hate Crimes Targeting LGBTQ+ Individuals During Campaigns
- Conversion Therapy Advocacy and Legislative Efforts
10. Socioeconomic Discrimination in Politics
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- Disproportionate Impact of Policies on Low-Income Communities
- Wealth Disparities in Political Influence and Representation
- Lack of Representation for Working-Class and Marginalized Economic Groups
- Funding Disparities in Political Campaigns
- Policy Prioritization of Wealthy Constituents’ Interests
11. Education Discrimination in Politics
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- Educational Barriers to Political Participation
- Disparities in Civic Education and Awareness
- Lack of Representation for Individuals with Limited Educational Opportunities
- Underfunding of Public Education and its Impact on Political Engagement
- Higher Education Access Barriers for Marginalized Groups
12. Immigration Discrimination in Politics
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- Barriers to Voter Registration and Participation for Immigrants
- Discrimination Against Undocumented Immigrants and Mixed-Status Families
- Lack of Representation for Immigrant Communities in Political Processes
- Racial Profiling and Discriminatory Immigration Policies
- Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric and its Impact on Voter Sentiment
13. Digital Discrimination in Politics
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- Digital Divide: Access to Technology and Internet for Political Participation
- Online Disinformation and Manipulation in Elections
- Cybersecurity Threats to Electoral Integrity and Voter Privacy
- Algorithmic Bias in Voter Outreach and Targeting
- Social Media Echo Chambers and Polarization Effect