Paul Waldman: “Traditional Republican voter suppression measures have operated according to a couple of straightforward principles. First, make voting more cumbersome and complicated for everyone, on the theory that Republicans will be more likely to overcome the hurdles. Then target minority populations directly with measures like reducing the number of polling places in their neighborhoods.”
“But while Trump has been more committed to voter suppression than anyone, his efforts to carry it out have been haphazard, ill-conceived, and in some cases as likely to hurt his own chances as those of his opponents. Critically, they have been so blatant and transparent that voter suppression has itself become more of an issue than ever before. The fact that Trump is trying so hard to keep people from voting will only boost the determination of Americans who despise him to get out and vote. Now if they can just get their ballots signed, sealed and delivered, and if his preposterous lawsuits fail to shut down the voting, it might be one more way Trump brings about his own defeat.”