Chapter 6 Section 1 Pages 129-131 The Right to Vote Chapter 6 Section 1 Pages 129-131

Words You Should Know Suffrage – right to vote Franchise – means the same as suffrage

A Short History of Voting 1789 – White male property owners 1 in 15 could vote Thomas Paine’s jackass analogy Today – Between 200 and 250 million people can vote Elimination of restrictions Federal Gov’t has assumed voter rights laws

Jackson 5

Ben Folds Five

The Four Tops

The Five Stages 1. Struggle to extend voting rights Tests, taxes, race issues 2. Post Civil War – 15th Amendment Stop discrimination 3. Ratification of 19th Amendment Wyoming gave women the right in 1869 as a territory 1920 – post WWI – women earned suffrage

The Five Stages 4. Civil Rights Movement 5. 26th Amendment Voting Rights Act of 1965 Removal of poll taxes – 23rd Amendment 5. 26th Amendment Age 18

Power of Qualifications Constitution places five restrictions on the states in the use of suffrage qualifications:

One Says you can vote in all the elections within a state

Two No deprivation of suffrage for any reason based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude (slavery)

Three No deprivation based on gender

Four You cannot levy a tax on voters

Five No deprivation based on age as long as that person is 18 and above

Section 2 section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two section two

Citizenship Aliens are denied the right to vote Good thing too, seeing as they are from another planet. Some do it sneakily Minnesota makes you be a citizen for three months

Residence Residence requirements – live in a state for a period of time 1. to keep outsiders from voting in elections (political machines) 2. become familiar with issues in state Past Requirements: Usually at least a year in the state, up to 90 days in the county, 30 days in local ward or precinct

Residence 15 Days in SD 50 in Arizona (longest) Why was it shortened? Transients / College students Traveling salesmen, armed forces, college students

Age 18 Years of age In some states 17 year olds may vote in primaries 18th Birthday falls between primary and general election Nebraska – as of 1999 17 year olds could vote if their 18th birthday fell before election day in that calendar year

Other Qualifications Registration – every state but ND Does registration bar voter turnout? Convenience Protect against voter fraud Literacy – Banning of literacy tests Complexity of questions Tax Payment – no reasonable relationship found

Who Can’t Vote Mental institutions Mentally incompetent Felons Dishonorable Discharges Duelists, vagrants, polygamists in some states

Voter Behavior Voter behavior studies concentrate on three sources: 1. The results of elections Areas with high concentrations of one demographic 2. Survey research Polling cross sections of Americans 3. Studies of political socialization How people form opinions

Factors Sociological factors Psychological factors Personal characteristics Group affiliations Psychological factors How does the voter view parties, candidates, or the election

Sociological Factors Chart – p. 147

Question: Does membership in a group really influence a persons voting behavior?

Psychological Factors Party Identification – Many Americans latch on for life from age 18 Straight Ticket Voting Parties can regularly count on the votes of the faithful Split Ticket Voting On the rise

Psychological Factors Many voters now refer to themselves as independent On the contrary, many support one of the major parties Independent registration is seeing a great increase

Psychological Factors Candidates and Issues The image / impression of a candidate The issues at hand Ongoing issues and scandal in America