Voting in the United States

1. Voting in the United States History Eligibility

2. Voting History • 1787-1840s • Requirements left up to states to decide • Most states only allowed white, male, property owners, 21yrs • Ben Franklin—”In whom is the right of suffrage? In the man or the jackass?”

3. Voting History • By 1840s most states had gotten rid of property and taxpaying requirement

4. Voting History • 15th Amendment (1870) • A person could not be denied the right to vote based on race or color • All males 21 yrs. Old • Did not become a reality for almost a century

5. Voting History • Southern states used • Poll taxes • Literacy tests • Grandfather clause • Physical intimidation • Gerrymandering—the practice of drawing electoral district lines to limit the voting strength of a particular group or party to deny the right to vote

6. Voting History • Gerrymandering • spreads opposition in a particular way so a party usually wins • groups a particular party together in one district

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8. Voting History • Woman’s Suffrage Movement (1848-1920) • 19th Amendment • Cannot be denied the right to vote because of gender

9. Voting History • Civil Rights Movement (1960’s) • Largely based on suffrage • Voting Rights Act 1965—eliminated literacy tests

10. Voting History • 24th Amendment • Eliminated poll tax as a condition for voting in any federal election

11. Voting History • 26th Amendment (1971) • Lowered voting age from 21yrs to 18yrs

12. Voter Eligibility Today • Citizenship • Residence • Allow new voters to be familiar with area • Prevent political machines • Age—18 yrs old • Registration • Intended to prevent fraudulent voting