History of Suffrage

1. History of Suffrage Suffrage – right to vote (Franchise) 1776: Male White Over age 21 Land Owning Literate Passed Religious test Paid Tax 2011: Male/Female All Races Over age 18 No ownership qualifications No tests, etc.

2. History of Suffrage • 1810: most religious tests, property requirements had been eliminated • After Civil War • 13th Amendment outlawed slavery • 14th gave citizenship rights to former slaves • 15th outlawed denying right to vote based on race • NOT enforced • Voting Discrimination • Poll Taxes & Literacy tests

3. History of Suffrage • 1920 • 19th Prohibited denying right to vote based on gender • 1960’s • 23rd Amendment – Residents of DC granted right to vote for President • 24th – outlawed poll taxes • 1970’s • 26th – Voting age lowered to 18 • Vietnam War

4. Voter Participation • Who can vote? • Citizens of the United States • Legal residents of the state they will vote in • At least 18 years old • States have restricted the voting rights of • Mentally incompetent • Convicted of serious crimes • Dishonorably Discharged from Military • Can restrict, as long as it doesn’t contradict Constitution

5. Voter Participation • In November ‘08, only 56.8% of eligible people voted in the Presidential election • Participation is even lower for off-year elections • Off year – Congressional elections held between Presidential elections • Idiotes – non-voter in Ancient Greece

6. Voter Participation • Why do people not vote? • Inconvenience, long lines, etc. • Don’t believe their vote will make a difference • Distrust of politics or candidates • Bad weather on voting day • Misunderstanding voter registration requirements • Voter apathy • “Time-Zone Fallout”

7. Voter Participation • People are more likely to vote: • The older the individual gets • The more education the individual earns • The more money the individual makes • In Presidential election years • When the race is very close & highly contested