...O’Donnell State & Local Politics 10/20/2014 Voting Requirements Effect on Turnout The right to vote is a very important aspect of United States government, the voting process present itself as the representative act that the fundamental basis to our Democratic system here in the USA. Unfortunately if you go back not even a century ago African Americans and women was denied this fundamental right to vote, securing the right to vote in United States was a long battle both for African-Americans and women. We can see how voting outcomes is essential to the true democratic process by having tight voting requirement it hinders the process and effects turnout. Voting Turnout, while undergoing new legislation since the repeal of the Jim Crow Laws, are still undergoing voting suppression, still disproportionately effecting racial minorities and the poor. To truly understand how voting requirements effect voter’s turnout we would have to look at the history of voting requirements in the U.S. Throughout United States history there have been many barriers that states have imposed that restrict voting rights especially for racial minorities and the poor. One requirement that definitely made voting a little more difficult was with requiring Americans to register prior to voting this meant that not only a citizen was care enough to go out and vote on election night they also must register prior to doing so. Registration was mainly intended to stop voter fraud, so each state was allowed...
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...The United States of America: the land of the free and the home of the brave. Over the past 240 years of being a nation, the citizens and lawmakers of the United States has continually prevented groups of people from voting in this democratic system. After this 2016 presidential election, now is again the time to restrict voting rights, but this time for those 65 and older. The United States has an increasing number of elderly people that have growing conservative views, such as a growing hate for same-sex marriage. The United States needs change towards a more liberal society, without a move towards more liberals, the United States will continue taking away rights of United States’ citizens because of different beliefs, such as gay marriage....
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...By going against the federal government and undermining its power constantly in this time period, the Supreme Court essentially undermined the power of the citizens of the United States. The people elect officials to run both the state and federal government. If the Supreme Court begins tampering with the balance of the two, then they are stripping away the power of the people and redistributing it where they see fit. The Supreme Court has no right to redistribute power between federal and state government for their needs at the time. They must uphold the Constitution and maintain the balance of power in all branches. These cases show that they are giving themselves power above the federal government. Their ability to strip power away from...
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...Give Me Liberty! Give Us Suffrage! “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!” This famous quote used by Patrick Henry during his Virginia Convention speech was the declaration of the many persons who faced injustice and inequality in America. The United States of America was said to be the land of opportunity and prosperity, but opportunity and prosperity for whom? Terms and conditions were not stipulated upon living in or relocating to America that liberty would only be available to those that qualified. Prior to the 1900’s most of America’s population did not enjoy the full blessings of American Liberty. There were many factors during the 19th century that contributed to being afforded and denied American Liberty. While it was easier for white men with wealth and property to exercise full liberty, the color of ones skin, race, or sex was a hindrance to others wanting to enjoy the benefits of full liberty. During the 19th century, the United States was a “white man’s government.” Whites mainly associated liberty with ownership of property. Therefore, if one owned property, they were entitled to enjoy the benefits of liberty. However, the only persons that owned property prior to reconstruction were white wealthy men. White men in America during reconstruction wanted to keep the “privilege” of liberty to themselves. White men during reconstruction also wanted to keep the right to vote to themselves. According to J. Morgan Kousser “A man with a ballot in his hand is the master...
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...better way of doing things. One such ethical dilemma is the legal age to vote in elections. The Constitution The twenty-sixth Amendment to the Constitution guarantees every American “the right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age” (The National Constitution Center, n.d.). In America the legal adult age is considered 18 years. As an adult, an 18 year old will pay taxes on income he or she has earned. They pay sales tax on items they have purchased. They are old enough to drive a car and to join the military. These are the arguments many have given in favor of lowering the voter legal age form 18 years to 16 years, but there is another side to the story – one of opposition to lowering the age and in favor of returning the legal age to voting rights to 21 years of age as originally set forth by the United States Constitution. The United States Constitution was adopted in 1789, at which time voting was reserved for male property owners ages 21 and older. The Fifteenth Amendment, passed in 1870 gave voting rights to all males over the age of 21, while the 19th Amendment finally extended voting rights to women. In 1971 the legal voting age was dropped to 18 by the ratification of the 26th Amendment, which was adopted in reply to protests from students in opposition of the Vietnam War. They claimed if individuals were old enough to be...
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...Voting rights have been a topic of discussion all on its own throughout the history of the United States. From the 15th, 19th Amendment, to the 26th Amendment, the limitations of suffrage has been altered on numerous occasions to meet the demands of the time. Based on this, many argue that the voting age should be lowered from 18 to 17 years of age. There is a plethora of pros to the idea of lowering the voting age to 17. For starters, “once you vote, you are more likely to vote again.” Voting early can be beneficial to the positive habitual action of voting itself. It’s been found that a 16 year old’s political knowledge is on par with that of a 21 year old’s. From this, one can deduce that the potential for high schoolers to “improve...
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...significant day in history. In 1850 Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony made a lifetime alliance as women’s rights activists. During the 1850s, the two women attempted to gain basic rights for women and were not successful in the modification of the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments. In the year 1869, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony created the National Women’s Suffrage Association (NWSA). Another major group was formed by Lucy Stone, a women’s suffrage activist, called the American Women’s Suffrage Association or the AWSA. The members of the AWSA denied the NWSA for being racially discordant. The focus of the AWSA was at a state level. In the 1880s the women’s rights movement was not as prominent in most areas of the United States “During the 1880s, the two wings of the women’s rights movement struggled to maintain momentum. The AWSA was better funded and the larger of the two groups, but it had only a regional reach. The NWSA, which was based in New York, relied on its statewide network but also drew recruits from around the nation, largely on the basis of the extensive speaking circuit of Stanton and Anthony. Neither group...
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...misunderstand the United States election process. When you turn 18 and hit the voting box for the first time it’s not the presidential candidates you’re voting for, but a panel of electors that cast the actual votes within each representative state; which ultimately elect the President. That individual vote is still very important because it’s the process to determine which candidate your state will vote for on Election Day. In a perfect world voting for the electoral vote should align with the outcome of the popular vote. There have been a few times in our nation’s history where that hasn’t been the case. Our founding fathers had the best intentions but fell short on predicting all the nuances surrounding our voting process. Based on the information available at the time they focused on isolating the electors at the state level thus mitigating the risk of corruption and ensuring a free and open election. Over the last 200 years we’ve seen several scenarios play out that have prompted much concern for the voting system we currently utilize today....
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...identification is a logical step in a country that requires photo ID for everything from cashing checks to buying cold medicine: Shouldn’t there be a basic protection for the integrity of the voting process”(qtd. in Dean.) Most states at the moment require only a spoken name to be eligible to vote. This results in abuses which harm the election process. The US government should implement voter ID laws in order to protect voter integrity and ensure accurate...
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...Voting Problem in America Voting Problem in America Numerous studies have been steered to support with observing for influences that will demonstration by public do not contribute in voting. It has remained a mounting difficulties with appropriate voters not registering and object their ballot. Over the decades, Americans have vanished trace with the antiquity of voting. Voting for in determinations supports in providing underpinning on why society do not participate in voting. Analyses provide tangible influences with why societies do not vote with illustration clusters support. Discovery of behaviors will show the unabridged development with the existing system supports with the American community. The 2008 elections enquiry provides awareness with the diverse motives from highest to lowest. Giving some understanding on the origin of the unruly and outcome resolutions to battle these problems. Examination can transform that are currently in domicile and assuring voting contributions on the ability to speak on the issues and distresses. Observing at other countries for potential solutions to the problem can be one riposte for the United States voting delinquent. Using tads and shards can support with altering he existing classification that does not work. Without transformation, the voting contribution will endure to diminish. The history behind the voting in America helps wonder why this pass civil liberty has fallen to many Americans waist side in today’s world. As America...
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...Citizens express their views by voting for representatives to speak on their behalf or by joining interest groups. In our current voting system however, many groups of people are barred from voting, yet they are forced to abide to the laws passed by our government. Whether it is because they are undocumented immigrants, felons, or even because their state requires tests that they are incapable of passing, these people are being unfairly represented in our government. Although our constitution provides the framework for our voting system, it leaves the right to the states to establish who is able to vote and who isn’t. In order to prevent this inequality in the voting process, states should be required to share the same voting requirements and it should be easier for immigrants to gain their citizenship so they as well can have a say in government. The American constitution established the framework of the voting system that we use today in our modern society. Voting first started in 1776, during the time of the colonies and the revolution and only white male Protestants were able to vote. At the time when George Washington was elected President, only 6% of the current population was eligible to vote, so voting was very restricted. In 1866 the Civil Rights Act granted citizenship to all American born people. However, it did not mention that all citizens had the right to vote, it left that to be decided by the states. While some states have easier voting restrictions, others have...
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...Political Ignorance: Hatred amongst African Americans in US History Tia Taylor Eth 125 Political Ignorance: Hatred amongst African Americans in US History Thanks for visiting the Blogsite again. You may think this will be just another opinionated article on African American culture being posted because it’s voting season. In fact, you’re correct. This article was dedicated to provide a realistic inside look into the history of the African American culture because there is a trend of American citizens stating they are voting for Obama because he is black. There are quite a few who have no other reason as to why they are voting for him other than that and since they may not be able to explain their answer, maybe this will help those that are angry and/or confused. Yes, it is quite simple minded to say you’re voting for Obama because he is black. It is also quite simple minded to say a person who said that is ignorant. In fact, we must remember that those who state that may have happened to grow up under a long ancestry of racism and hate just as the white kid down the street who draws Nazi symbols on his desk at school. Just like him and his older brother who might be a prejudice employee at his job, it’s not their fault they are that way. It was their environment and maybe if you understand a person’s environment and their background, you will understand why statements like this are being made all over social media websites. I’ll make these breakdowns as short and simple...
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...Historical Report on Race ******** ETH/125 February 23, 2014 Charmagne Quarles Historical Report on Race In this chapter of our reading, we will discuss the history of the African Americana experience in the United States. We will evaluate political and social issues that have impacted the African American Community. This chapter will also introduce groups and organizations that opposed legislation that led to discrimination and promoted legislation that removed discrimination. The plight of discrimination that African Americans have received began almost immediately upon arrival in the United States. In 1660, while still under British rule, laws were passed that made African Americans slaves for life (Schaefer, 2012). These laws led to the development of what was known as "slave codes." Schaefer (pg. 177) defines slave codes as "laws that defined the low position held by slaves in the United States." According to Schaefer (2102), these codes were used as racial formation to solidify the African Americans as an inferior race. Slavery was eventually abolished after the Civil War but this abolition did not increase the standing of the Black Community. Schaefer (pg. 177) theorizes that slavery set the foundation for the problems with racial equality that we face today. After the Civil War, the African American community did not become the equal American citizens they imagined they would become. Segregation became common practice after the Reconstruction...
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...household, increasing the likelihood that others in the household will vote. In immigrant communities, young voters may be easier to reach, are more likely to speak English, and may be the most effective messengers within their communities. Also, there are major differences in voter turnout amongst youth subgroups, which may persist as these youth get older if the gaps are not reduced. A growing body of research shows that new voters who vote twice are more likely to continue voting for life. The challenge, then, is to sustain or increase youth participation in a year with a different political environment, to help young people develop a lifelong habit of civic participation. Voting is habit forming, when young people learn the voting process and vote, they are more likely to do so when they are older. So, getting young people to vote early could be the key to raising a new generation of voters. Another intriguing statistic shows that young people between the ages of 18 to 29 make up 21% of the voting eligible population in the...
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...“Voting rights matter. They are a major part of who we are as Americans.” - Marc Veasey. Voting dates back to almost 3 centuries ago, when most people couldn’t vote (“History of Voting Rights”). Voting plays a big part in the future of the nation, yet the country denies voting rights to a big group of citizens, all of which are felons who have completed their entire sentence. While some felons can’t be trusted, they should get the right to vote because voting is a responsibility, it is a key component to democracy, and felons are still U.S. citizens. One important reason why ex-felons should vote is because it is a responsibility and should be done by every American citizen. It can determine the outcome of the election, and the candidate...
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