1- Voting rights came in the 1800’s- Each
state at a time eliminated property ownership and tax
payment qualifi cations. Mid century almost all
white adult males could vote.
2- Following the Civil War. 15 th Amendment-
protect any citizen from being denied the right
to vote. 3- 19 th Amendment-
Women’s Suff rage
4- 1960’s- Voting Rights Act 1965- racial equality.
23rd/24th amendments-
District of Columbia voters were added, and eliminated the
poll tax.5- Adoption of the
26th Amendment. Those who are 18
can vote.
THE HISTORY OF VOTING RIGHTS
Place fi ve restrictions on how the States use the
voting power. 1- Each of the States allows the same voters to vote in all elections within
the State. 2- No state can deprive a
person the right to vote based on their color, and
or race. 3- No state can deprive a
person the right to vote based on their sex.
4- No state can require payment of any tax as a condition for taking part
in the election. 5- No state can deprive a
person who is at or at least 18 years of age.
THE POWER TO SET VOTING QUALIFICATIONS
CitizenshipAliens- Foreign born residents who are not citizens are denied the right to vote.
ResidenceMust be a legal resident of that state.
Attach no time qualification.
Age26th Amendment
“ The right of the citizens of the United States, who are 18 years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.”
UNIVERSAL REQUIREMENTS
Registration Must be registered to vote.
Prevent FraudLiteracy
No Suffrage qualifications based on a person’s ability to read or write.
Tax Payment 24th Amendment outlawed a poll tax.
Persons Denied the Votes People in mental institutions.
Convicted on serious crimes.
Dishonorably discharged from the army.
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS
The effort to extend the franchise to African Americans began with the 15 th
Amendment.It declares that the right to vote cannot
be denied to any citizen of the United States because of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
Ensured that all African Americans had the right to vote!
THE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT
Civil Rights Act 1957- Set up the United States Civil Rights
Commission. Reports any claims of voter discrimination.
Civil Rights Act 1960- Federal court offi cers were given the power to help qualify persons to register and vote in federal
elections.
EARLY CIVIL RIGHTS LEGISLATION
This act is much broader and more
eff ective. This outlaws
discrimination in several areas,
especially in job related matters.
This section forbids the use of any voter
registration or literacy requirements in an
unfair or discriminatory manner.
THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964
This act made the 15 th Amendment a truly eff ective part of the Constitution.
This law suspended literacy tests, and have people oversee the conduct of elections in those areas. “ The Voting Rights Act was designed by Congress to
banish the blight of racial discrimination in voting, which has infected the electoral process in parts of our country for nearly a century…. Congress assumed the
power to prescribe these remedies from Section 2 of the 15 th Amendment, which authorizes the National
Legislature to eff ectuate by appropriate measures the constitutional prohibition against racial discrimination
in voting. We hold that the sections of the Act which are properly before us are an appropriate means for
carrying our Congress constitutional responsibilities and are consonant with all other provisions of the
Constitutions.”
THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965
Cannot Voters Resident Aliens
Actual Nonvoters Didn’t think that their vote could make a difference. Some distrust politicians and politics.
Factors Aff ecting Turnout Bad weather Long ballots Long Lines
Comparing Voters and Nonvoters Those who vote- Higher levels of education Well integrated into the community. Nonvoters are likely to be younger.
WHY PEOPLE DO NOT VOTE
Income, Occupation
EducationGender, Age
Religious,, Ethnic Background
GeographyFamily and Other
Groups
SOCIOLOGICAL FACTORS