Voters and Voter Behavior Chapter Six

The Right to Vote Section One

Suffrage, also called franchise, is the right to vote. In 1789 only white male property owners had this right. Today, the American electorate, or the people eligible to vote, includes nearly all citizens who are at least 18 years of age. Suffrage, also called franchise, is the right to vote. In 1789 only white male property owners had this right. Today, the American electorate, or the people eligible to vote, includes nearly all citizens who are at least 18 years of age. Two trends caused this change: the elimination of many of the restrictions on suffrage and the assumption of much of the States’ power over suffrage by the Federal Government. Two trends caused this change: the elimination of many of the restrictions on suffrage and the assumption of much of the States’ power over suffrage by the Federal Government.

The Constitution’s Framers left the power to set suffrage qualifications to the States; they did, however, forbid States from setting different qualifications for who can vote in State and federal elections. Also, State qualifications could not violate any part of the Constitution. The Constitution’s Framers left the power to set suffrage qualifications to the States; they did, however, forbid States from setting different qualifications for who can vote in State and federal elections. Also, State qualifications could not violate any part of the Constitution. The struggle to extend voting rights began in the early 1800s. Laws were passed to prevent States from restricting suffrage to the extent that they had been. The struggle to extend voting rights began in the early 1800s. Laws were passed to prevent States from restricting suffrage to the extent that they had been.

By the mid-1800s, restrictions based on religion and property were eliminated, and nearly all white adult males could vote. By the mid-1800s, restrictions based on religion and property were eliminated, and nearly all white adult males could vote. In 1870 the 15th Amendment eliminated restrictions based on race; in practice, however, African Americans were not totally free to vote until the passage of several civil rights acts in the 1960s. In 1870 the 15th Amendment eliminated restrictions based on race; in practice, however, African Americans were not totally free to vote until the passage of several civil rights acts in the 1960s. In 1920 the 19th Amendment added women to the electorate. In 1964 the 24th Amendment said that States could not make the payment of a tax a condition for voting. In 1920 the 19th Amendment added women to the electorate. In 1964 the 24th Amendment said that States could not make the payment of a tax a condition for voting. Most recently, in 1971 the 26th Amendment said that States could not deny anyone 18 or older the right to vote. Most recently, in 1971 the 26th Amendment said that States could not deny anyone 18 or older the right to vote.

Voter Qualifications Section Two

States decide voter qualifications. Over time, the qualifications have changed to include many more people. Today, all States require voters to be citizens and legal residents of the State in which they wish to vote. States decide voter qualifications. Over time, the qualifications have changed to include many more people. Today, all States require voters to be citizens and legal residents of the State in which they wish to vote. In most cases, people must have lived in a State for a certain amount of time before they may vote there—a practice meant to give people time to get to know the State’s issues as well as to prevent outsiders from affecting local elections. Most States also forbid transients, or people living in a State for only a short time, from voting there. In most cases, people must have lived in a State for a certain amount of time before they may vote there—a practice meant to give people time to get to know the State’s issues as well as to prevent outsiders from affecting local elections. Most States also forbid transients, or people living in a State for only a short time, from voting there.

There is also an age requirement for voting. In 1971 the 26th Amendment established 18 as the age at which a State may not deny a person the right to vote. There is also an age requirement for voting. In 1971 the 26th Amendment established 18 as the age at which a State may not deny a person the right to vote. Forty-nine States—all except North Dakota—require voter registration which is the act of signing up with local election officials. This requirement gives officials lists of registered voters, called poll books. Forty-nine States—all except North Dakota—require voter registration which is the act of signing up with local election officials. This requirement gives officials lists of registered voters, called poll books. State law tells officials to periodically review the poll books and purge them. Purging them means removing from them names of those no longer eligible to vote. State law tells officials to periodically review the poll books and purge them. Purging them means removing from them names of those no longer eligible to vote.

Today, no State has a voter requirement of literacy—the ability to read or write. Nor does any State require a poll tax, a tax paid for voting. All States deny the right to vote to people in mental institutions or those legally considered mentally incompetent. Today, no State has a voter requirement of literacy—the ability to read or write. Nor does any State require a poll tax, a tax paid for voting. All States deny the right to vote to people in mental institutions or those legally considered mentally incompetent. Most States also deny the right to vote to anyone who has been convicted of a serious crime. Most States also deny the right to vote to anyone who has been convicted of a serious crime.

Suffrage and Civil Rights Section Three

In 1870 the 15th Amendment established that the right to vote may not be denied because of race. In 1870 the 15th Amendment established that the right to vote may not be denied because of race. The amendment was ignored in some southern States, where tactics such as violence, threats, literacy testing, and gerrymandering were used to keep African Americans from voting. Gerrymandering is the drawing of electoral district lines in a way that limits a particular group’s voting strength. The amendment was ignored in some southern States, where tactics such as violence, threats, literacy testing, and gerrymandering were used to keep African Americans from voting. Gerrymandering is the drawing of electoral district lines in a way that limits a particular group’s voting strength.

The civil rights movement pressured Congress to ensure African American voting rights. The Civil Rights Act of 1957 set up the Civil Rights Commission to investigate voter discrimination claims. The civil rights movement pressured Congress to ensure African American voting rights. The Civil Rights Act of 1957 set up the Civil Rights Commission to investigate voter discrimination claims. The Civil Rights Act of 1960 called for federal referees to help all eligible people to register and vote in federal elections. The Civil Rights Act of 1960 called for federal referees to help all eligible people to register and vote in federal elections. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 emphasized the use of injunctions, or orders from the courts to do or stop doing something, to ensure that eligible citizens were not kept from voting. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 emphasized the use of injunctions, or orders from the courts to do or stop doing something, to ensure that eligible citizens were not kept from voting.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 made the 15th Amendment truly effective by applying it to all elections—local, State, and federal. It forbade practices that prevented qualified voters from using the polls. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 made the 15th Amendment truly effective by applying it to all elections—local, State, and federal. It forbade practices that prevented qualified voters from using the polls. Additionally, in those States where a majority of the electorate did not vote in 1964, this act gave the Department of Justice preclearance, or the right to approve new election laws, to prevent these laws from weakening minority voting rights. Additionally, in those States where a majority of the electorate did not vote in 1964, this act gave the Department of Justice preclearance, or the right to approve new election laws, to prevent these laws from weakening minority voting rights. The act was to stay in effect for five years, but it was extended three times and was finally struck down by the Supreme Court in The act was to stay in effect for five years, but it was extended three times and was finally struck down by the Supreme Court in 2013.

Voter Behavior Section Four

Millions of Americans who are qualified to vote do not. Voter turnout is low for presidential elections and lower still for off- year elections, the congressional elections that are held between presidential elections. Millions of Americans who are qualified to vote do not. Voter turnout is low for presidential elections and lower still for off- year elections, the congressional elections that are held between presidential elections. Those who choose not to vote often lack a feeling of political efficacy. That means they do not feel that their votes make a difference. They are convinced that “government by the people” has been taken over by politicians, powerful special interests, and the media. Those who choose not to vote often lack a feeling of political efficacy. That means they do not feel that their votes make a difference. They are convinced that “government by the people” has been taken over by politicians, powerful special interests, and the media.

Studies of voter behavior focus on the results of particular elections, polls, and political socialization—the process by which people gain their political attitudes and opinions. Studies of voter behavior focus on the results of particular elections, polls, and political socialization—the process by which people gain their political attitudes and opinions. These sources show that certain sociological factors—income, occupation, education, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, region of residence, and family—influence each person’s voting choices. These sources show that certain sociological factors—income, occupation, education, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, region of residence, and family—influence each person’s voting choices. For example, there are measurable differences between the electoral choices of men and women, a phenomenon known as gender gap. For example, there are measurable differences between the electoral choices of men and women, a phenomenon known as gender gap.

Psychological factors—including party identification and perception of the candidates and issues—also contribute to voter behavior. Psychological factors—including party identification and perception of the candidates and issues—also contribute to voter behavior. Party identification is loyalty to a political party. A person loyal to one party may vote only for candidates of that party, a practice called straight-ticket voting. Party identification is loyalty to a political party. A person loyal to one party may vote only for candidates of that party, a practice called straight-ticket voting. Many recent voters call themselves independents, or people not identified with a party. They may vote for candidates from both major parties in the same election, which is called split-ticket voting. Many recent voters call themselves independents, or people not identified with a party. They may vote for candidates from both major parties in the same election, which is called split-ticket voting.