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

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

3. 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

4. Jackson 5

5. Ben Folds Five

6. The Four Tops

7. 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

8. 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

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

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

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

12. Three
No deprivation based on gender

13. Four
You cannot levy a tax on voters

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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

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

19. 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 year olds could vote if their 18th birthday fell before election day in that calendar year

20. 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

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

22. 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

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

24. Sociological Factors
Chart – p. 147

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

26. 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

27. 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

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