The Right to Vote

2. The Right to Vote Chapter 6 Section 1

3. Before We Begin… • Suffrage: the right to vote • Franchise: the right to vote

4. Expanding the Electorate • Originally, only adult white males with property could vote (about 1 in 15 males) • Today, voting population = 220 million people

5. Expanding the Electorate • Two trends: • Elimination of voting restrictions • Growing federal control over voting

6. Five Stages • 1) 1800s: • Religious tests, ownership of property and tax payments no longer required. • 2) Post Civil War: • 15th amendment passed • Can’t be denied suffrage based on color

7. Five Stages • 3) 1920s: • 19th amendment passed • Women gain right to votes • 4) 1960s: • Voting Rights Act of 1965 • No poll tax

8. Five Stages • 5) 1970s: • 26th Amendment • 18 yrs+ can vote

9. Power to Set Voting Qualifications • Is with the State • But, there are restrictions: • 1) Those who can vote for state leg. are allowed to vote for state representatives and senators • 2) No state can discriminate based on race

10. Power to Set Voting Qualifications • 3) No state can discriminate on sex • 4) No state can require $ to vote • 5) No state can discriminate against 18 yrolds

11. Homework Pg 150 #1, 4, 5