CNN Panel Notes Long Lines On Election Day A Result Of GOP-Led Voter Suppression

David Swerdlick: “Only In States Controlled By Republican Legislatures Has Early Voting Been Reduced” 

From the November 8 edition of CNN's CNN Newsroom with Carol Costello

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CAROL COSTELLO (HOST): I want to put up that shot from Raleigh, North Carolina, of the people in line waiting to vote because it's incredible. This was taken when the polls just opened. I don't know what this says about voter turnout because this is just a snapshot, right? But still it's a beautiful thing to see democracy in action, right? That's a beautiful thing. I just wanted to put that up to remind people what this day is about. 

RYAN LIZZA: Although one thing about these long lines in North Carolina is you can't forget that this was a decision made by the state to cut the number of places. There are not enough places in some of these states, and as beautiful as it is to see people online getting ready to vote, we shouldn't have long lines in this country. We should be making it as easy to vote as possible. 

COSTELLO: You're right about that. There should be a lot of polling places to accommodate voters so they don't have to stand in line. 

DAVID SWERDLICK: Yeah. This is something that's going to carry over, again, to subsequent elections, right, Carol? This idea that only in states controlled by Republican legislatures has early voting been reduced, or have the number of polling places like North Carolina been reduced. And as demographics shift and as subsequent presidential elections take place, we're really going to see if this winds up being effective for Republicans or if Republicans are going to be forced to expand the number of, the demographics of their voting base. 

Previously

Reuters Exposes Voter Suppression In North Carolina While Right-Wing Media Prop Up False Claims Of Voter Fraud

Fox Report On Low African-American Turnout In North Carolina Ignores GOP Voter Suppression

STUDY: MSNBC Provides Exemplary Coverage Of Voter Suppression While Fox Pushes Voter Fraud Myths