The Politics of Voter Suppression About The Century Foundation The Century Foundation is a progressive think tank, founded in 1919 and initially funded by Edward A. Filene. With a strong legacy of research and analysis aimed at addressing a range of important issues related to U.S. economic and social policy and international affairs, its work currently fo- cuses on issues of equity and opportunity in the United States, and how American values can best be sustained and advanced in a world of more diffuse power. With offi ces in New York City and Washington, D.C., The Century Foundation is nonprofi t and nonpartisan. Board of Trustees of The Century Foundation Bradley Abelow Lewis B. Kaden H. Brandt Ayers Alicia H. Munnell Alan Brinkley, Chairman Janice Nittoli Joseph A. Califano, Jr. P. Michael Pitfi eld Alexander Morgan Capron John Podesta Hodding Carter III Richard Ravitch Edward E. David, Jr. Alan Sagner Brewster C. Denny Harvey I. Sloane, M.D. Charles V. Hamilton Kathleen M. Sullivan Melissa Harris-Perry Shirley Williams Matina S. Horner William Julius Wilson Janice Nittoli, President The Politics of Voter Suppression Defending and Expanding Americans’ Right to Vote Tova Andrea Wang A Century Foundation Book Cornell University Press Ithaca and London Copyright © 2012 by The Century Foundation All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in a review, this book, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher. For information, address Cornell University Press, Sage House, 512 East State Street, Ithaca, New York 14850. First published 2012 by Cornell University Press Printed in the United States of America Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Wang, Tova Andrea. The politics of voter suppression : defending and expanding Americans’ right to vote / Tova Andrea Wang. p. cm. “A Century Foundation book.” Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-8014-5085-3 (cloth : alk. paper) 1. Elections—United States—History—20th century. 2. Elections— Corrupt practices—United States—History—20th century. 3. Voter registration—United States—History—20th century. 4. Voter registration—Corrupt practices—United States—History—20th century. 5. Suffrage—United States—History—20th century. 6. Voting— United States—History—20th century. 7. United States—Politics and government—20th century. I. Title. JK1976.W36 2012 324.60973—dc23 2012005954 Cornell University Press strives to use environmentally responsible suppliers and materials to the fullest extent possible in the publishing of its books. Such materials include vegetable-based, low-VOC inks and acid-free papers that are recycled, totally chlorine-free, or partly composed of nonwood fi bers. For further information, visit our website at www.cornellpress.cornell.edu. Cloth printing 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 For my father, Robert Wang .