Political Reform Progressives and the Constitution

16 th Amendment Legalized income tax without using apportionment from census data Income taxes had already been advocated by Populists Amendment necessary after Supreme Court struck down income tax law Progressive- use taxes to help the poor, fund social programs

17 th Amendment Changed how Senators are elected – Originally elected by state legislatures – Now directly elected by the people of the state Progressive- limit political corruption & increase people’s involvement in electing their leaders

18 th Amendment Outlawed the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol in the U.S. (exceptions made for certain medical and religious reasons) Led to rise of the mafia as organized crime made millions by smuggling liquor from Canada and Cuba Repealed by 21 st Amendment Progressive- intended to improve lives and families of working class

19 th Amendment Made it illegal to deny the right to vote on basis of gender Longest-fought ratification battle of any Constitutional amendment (except the 27 th ) Despite concerns, a “women’s voting bloc” never emerged Progressive- more people involved in government

Other Government Reforms Direct primary: allowing voters to choose which candidate would represent each political party in Congressional elections Pendleton Civil Service Act: required candidates for some government jobs to pass an exam – Limited patronage (handing out jobs in return for votes or political favors) Direct Democracy (all of these are in the Arizona constitution, by the way) – Initiative: laws proposed and passed directly by voters – Referendum: gives voters the authority to approve laws passed by state legislature – Recall: allows voters to remove elected officials from office