Since the 2010 election, Republicans in states across the country have worked hard to pass legislation that systematically hinders the voting capabilities of young voters, minority voters and ex-felons. The Nation’s Ari Berman joined Current TV’s Countdown to explain how twelve states have already passed laws making it harder for some of the Democratic Party’s core constituencies to register to vote. Some states now require birth certificates or government-issued photo IDs to register to vote, or have cut back on early voting, which the Obama campaign made successful use of in 2008.

—Jin Zhao