Historical Moments for Participation Jamie Monogan University of Georgia November 4, 2015

Objectives By the end of this meeting, participants should be able to: Identify policies that have removed voting barriers or made it easier to vote.

Voting Rights The franchise, or right to vote, has gradually expanded throughout the nation’s history In the U.S. registration is handled by states, with federal guidelines on eligibility Most democracies now allow citizens over the age of 18 to vote

Current and Former Voting Barriers States can use mental capacity and criminal records to limit voting rights Poll taxes and literacy tests were used by many southern states to limit African American voting rights Reforms: –Civil Rights Act of 1957 (banned intimidation or interference) –Twenty-Fourth Amendment (banned poll tax) –Voting Rights Act of 1965 (federal registrars and banned literacy tests)

Removing Voting Barriers Most white men could vote by th Amendment granted African Americans voting rights in th Amendment guaranteed women’s suffrage in th Amendment granted voting rights to year olds in 1971

Groups and Voting Rights Most suffrage extensions have come in the wake of activism by groups seeking voting rights –Women’s suffrage movement –LUV—Let Us Vote –Civil rights movement

Assignments For Friday: Read Bullock and Gaddie, Chapter 10 For Monday: Read Kollman, pp Wednesday, November 11: Chapter 11 concept map exercise due at 11:59pm on ELC

Additional Material

Turnout Trends

Steep drop in turnout through much of 20th century Decline in voter mobilization efforts New groups eligible Turnout has increased in recent elections –Increased mobilization efforts –Close elections