Evolution of Voting Rights in the US: A Historical Overview

1. The Right to Vote Chapter 6 Section 1.

2. A Brief History • 2 Factors that have influenced a dramatic shift over the last 200 years • Restrictions have been lifted, including those based on religious belief, property ownership, tax payment, race and gender. • The Federal Government has gradually taken over setting the rules and regulations for voting.

3. 5 Stages to the history • 1. Elimination of restrictions based on property and religious affiliation. These restrictions were all virtually removed by the mid 19th century and done by state initiative • 2. The 15th Amendment prohibits voting restrictions based on race or skin color. 1870. Most African Americans and other minorities still could not vote for another 100 years.

4. 5 Stages Continued • 3. In 1920 the 19th Amendment passed prohibiting restrictions based on sex. Wyoming had allowed women to vote in 1869. • 4. The Civil Rights Movement saw dramatic changes, including the: • Voting Rights Act of 1965 and extensions of it. • The 23rd amendment gave electoral college votes to D.C. • The 24th Amendment eliminated the poll tax.

5. 5 Stages finished • 5. The last stage came with the passage of the 26th Amendment which gave the right to vote to 18 year olds in all states.

6. Increased Federal Authority • The power to set voting restrictions is up to the states but the Federal Government sets five restrictions on the states ability to exercise that power • 1. States must have the same restrictions for all elections. • 2. the 15th Amendment, No restrictions based on race • 3. The 19th Amendment, No restrictions based on sex • 4. The 24th Amendment, No Poll taxes allowed • 5. The 26th Amendment, All 18 year olds must be able to vote.

8. Why do fewer young people Vote? • Develop a list of reasons. • Create a thesis statement and introductory paragraph for an essay answer this question. • A good thesis statement contains: • An Opinion • A preview of the your main arguments (Topics)