The vote didn't have power.

It wouldn't keep coming after it over and over and over

because it changes the dynamics in society.

Welcome to Axios today.

I'm Naila Boodoo.

And we're here with you on a Saturday

because we have something special for you.

A deep dive as Axios kicks off hard truths, a project examining systemic racism in America.

This will be a year-long series covering a new topic each month, issues like education, housing,

technology, and health care.

But with a bitter election just days away, we start with voting, specifically voter suppression.

And here's why this matters.

If you're white or rich, it's easier to believe systemic racism is something that

ended years ago.

The term even systemic racism has been really politicized by the president who doesn't want to say that it exists.

This is the executive editor for Axios, Sarah Gu,

she's helping report this series.

Our goal here is not partisan at all,

but our country is facing the real upheaval

about race in America right now.

And through our journalism, we felt like, well, let's look at this.

Let's be factual, clinical, let's examine the bigger picture and hope that that will inform

...