1. Voting & Elections #2 The Struggle!

2. Who is eligible to vote? 18 years old Citizen Those who are eligible must: –Register – fill out a registration card

3. Who is ineligible to vote? Anyone who does not meet the requirements

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

5. Universal Male Suffrage All free men could vote by 1860

6. 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.

7. It Works! For approximately 2 decades the 15 th amendment is enacted (enforced) Until, Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) began to allow states to restrict rights including voting

8. Voting Restrictions 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

9. 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!

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

11. Civil Rights Movement African Americans & Others begin to fight for rights in 1950’s and 60’s http://www.sitins.com/2feb1960.pdf http://www.sitins.com/2feb1960.pdf

12. Making Voting a Reality - Voting Rights Act of 1965: Ensured that everyone voted by: –Federal (National) Inspectors ensure that all people have the opportunity to vote –Outlawed literacy test 24 th Amendment: ends poll tax

13. Voting #4: 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 ?

14. Votes for Women! Women’s Suffrage –19 th Amendment (1919): women’s right to vote

15. During the Vietnam War, men were drafted at the age of 18, but could not vote until they were 21 –26 th Amendment (1971) 18-21 year olds are enfranchised or given the franchise

16. 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?

17. Propositions 19: Legalizing marijuana 20: Redistricting 21: State Parks 22: Transportation funds 23: Suspend air pollution law 24: Business Taxes 25: Budget Votes 26: Fees require 2/3 vote 27: Redistricting