Voting & Elections #2 The Struggle!

Who is eligible to vote? 18 years old Citizen Register – fill out a registration card

Who is ineligible to vote? Anyone who does not meet the requirements Some felons

In the beginning of our country, who could vote? Males Property Owners Member of a Church

Suffrage Universal Male Suffrage All free men could vote by 1860

Post - Civil War 15 th Amendment: gives males, African American and other races, the right to vote Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

States Trump Federal Law For approximately 2 decades the 15 th amendment is enforced (enacted) Then states begin to abridge (reduce) the voting rights of African Americans by passing laws such as:

–Poll Tax: fine to vote –Literacy Test: reading test –Grandfather Clause: if your grandfather could vote, so could you

Quick Quiz 1.Who is the commander-in-chief of the army and navy? 2.In what year did the Congress gain the right to prohibit the migration of persons to the states? 3.What body can try impeachments of the president of the United States? 4.Name the attorney general of the U.S. 5.At what time of day on January 20 each four years does the term of the president of the U.S. end? Do Not Copy Question – Just Write the Correct Answer!

If the laws did not work… Local people would use: –Fear –Harassment –Violence

Civil Rights Movement African Americans & Others begin to fight for rights in 1950’s and 60’s

Making Voting a Reality - Voting Rights Act of 1965: Ensured that everyone voted by: –Federal (National) Inspectors ensure that all people are voting –Outlawed literacy test 24 th Amendment: ends poll tax

Voting #2: More Struggle Quick Review: Copy the question, if you wish. 1.Suffrage: Good or bad? 2.Which amendment number gives African American males the right to vote? 3.Which law ensured that everyone, including ethnic minorities, were able to vote in ALL states ?

Women’s Movement Women’s Suffrage –19 th Amendment (1919)– women’s right to vote

During the Vietnam War, men were drafted at the age of 18, but could not vote until they were 21 –26 th Amendment (1971) gives year olds are enfranchised or given the franchise 26 th Amendment: Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States of by any state on account of age.

In many elections, only 40-60% of the eligible voters vote. Why after so much struggle to get the right to vote, do many eligible voters choose not to vote?