Let's say it in simple English: Republicans are intent on stopping minority voters from casting ballots in this year's presidential election.

ADVERTISEMENT

Republican-dominated state legislatures are attempting to enact laws that disqualify eligible voters whom they feel will not vote Republican. There are no longer literacy tests or poll taxes, the odious and discriminatory tactics used before the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. So the GOP has had to come up with new and "creative" ways to make sure that those people who don't vote Republican will not be allowed to vote.

They cowardly hide behind the justification of "voter fraud" but as the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals recently stated in an opinion, North Carolina had "failed to identify even a single individual who has ever been charged with committing in-person fraud in North Carolina."

The court went on to point out a little-known practice that is rarely mentioned. "The State ignored the issue of absentee ballot fraud." The court went on to say that absentee ballots are "disproportionately used by whites."

So, Republican legislatures are so worried the changing demographics of the country are moving against their party that they have to do something drastic. Here is their plan.

First, impose strict voter-ID requirements. That means, make it extremely difficult to provide the necessary ID.

Second, cut back early voting hours. This is used in great numbers by African-American voters.

Third, eliminate same-day registration. You see, if you do this, you can control the potential electorate. None of those impulsive citizens who wake up and have the nerve to register and thus vote on Election Day.

Fourth, disallow out-of-precinct voting. Anyway you can disqualify someone, that's a good thing.

Fifth, don't permit pre-registration for those under 18. That makes it too easy for young people to get in the habit of voting.

Sixth, do away with Sunday voting. That a big one! The African-American churches have this "Souls to the Polls" concept and that must be stopped at all costs.

North Carolina's Republican-controlled legislature seems to be the most brazen in its voter suppression tactics, but other Republican legislatures are doing their best to emulate North Carolina.

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals summed up the GOP plan in North Carolina perfectly: The legislature "with almost surgical precision ... enacted one of the largest restriction of the franchise in modern North Carolina history." The Republican Party knows that a country that allows more African-American and Hispanic voters to vote will not be good for its party. "Those voters" will vote for Democrats.

So, unable and unwilling to change their philosophy or platform, they have only one alternative: to rig the system. Make sure that the polls are not open to those "other people" who are not "our people." Thankfully, the federal courts see the Republican plan for what it truly is.

It is also very fortunate for democracy that the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia can no longer cast the deciding vote for this grotesquely un-American practice.

Plotkin is a political analyst, a contributor to the BBC on American politics and a columnist for The Georgetowner.

The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the views of The Hill.