Following the Revolution a lot of the states had retain some property requirements which prevented poor people from voting. Following republican logic citizens began to believe an economic stake in society was important to be able to vote wisely. Voter whom lacked economic independence was thought of being easy manipulated by the ones who controlled his economic status. The new legitimacy of parties was the dramatic expansion of Voting Rights for the white men.…
Americans should not be required to vote. Once an action becomes required by the law, it becomes a chore. Document B shows the difference in rates of adults who are above 30 and under who vote. Ages 18 to 29 are at a little above 50%, while the rest start at 60% and go up. It is evident that younger Americans are not as interested or devoted to our elections.…
About 2,000 African Americans were elected to public offices during that time. In Smith v. Allwright (1944), the Democratic Party of Texas deemed a “voluntary association,” allowed only whites to participate in Democratic primary elections. S.S Allwright was a county election official who denied Lonnie Smith, a black man, the right to vote in the 1940 Texas Democratic primary. The conclusion is even though the Democratic Party was a voluntary organization, it still guaranteed the right for blacks the right to vote because of his race. A state cannot “permit a private organization to practice racial discrimination” in elections.…
In a Democracy it is important to have frequent elections where all adults have the availability to participate. Until recent history the United States had mechanism put in place where some groups of society had multiple obstacles. Mechanisms like poll tax and literacy tests were given to reduce the number of minority voters. Individuals were even disfranchised and had no capability to vote. Devices and mechanisms able to break the burden of disfranchisement had first began in 1965 when a group of peaceful marchers traveled to Selma, Alabama, to the state capital of Montgomery to push and promote legislation for the creation of new voting rights legislation.…
The act focused on redressing the legacy of discrimination against African Americans’ access to the ballot. The acts were…
Voting rights and minorities have had issues before. Up until 1965 African americans didn't have the right to vote. in 1886 they were granted citizenship but not the right to vote. In 1870, the 15th amendment was ratified and prohibited states from denying a male citizen the right to vote based on “race, color or previous condition of servitude”. In 1965 the voting rights act of 1965 was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson.…
In 1965, the Voting Rights Act outlawed poll taxes, literacy tests and other discriminatory practices, finally allowing African Americans to fully exercise the right to vote that the 15th Amendment had promised a century earlier. The civil rights changes of the…
In the wake of a powerful movement like the Selma march, LBJ understood the importance and significance that the Voting Rights Act of 1965 would hold; his signing in of the law put into place one of the most effective and favorable civil rights acts. Prior to act, although the 15th Amendment allowed for all men to vote, there were rigid literacy tests or high fees in place to discourage African Americans from trying to involve themselves in politics. By outlawing these unfair practices, LBJ was able to level the playing field for minorities and give them an equal opportunity in the vocalization of their concerns. Martin Luther King, Jr. felt the monumentality of the act, telling Johnson, “‘you have created a second emancipation’” (Califano…
In 1937, a white man brought suit against Georgia’s poll tax, alleged violations of the 14th amendment and the 19th amendment. During the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, voting right activists in the South were dealt with various way of being mistreated and violence. The voters right bill was passed on May 26, 1965. In 1975, Congress recognized the need to protect citizens that could not read or speak English well enough to participate in the political process and expand the protections of the Voting Rights Act to…
1865 was the start of a brand new period in American history; Reconstruction. After the Civil War, the United States was left in ruins so the North helped the South rebuild and make it easier for them to rejoin the Union. Northerners and Republicans tried to help, but their efforts weren 't very successful. Reconstruction was a failure. During Reconstruction, African Americans gained many rights , but these rights didn 't last very long.…
New political forces in the South gave way for new changes. During reconstruction, African Americans made huge political gains. They voted in large numbers and were also elected to political office. African Americans were elected as sheriffs, mayors, legislators, Congressmen, and Senators. Even thought their participation was significant, it was exaggerated by white southerners angry at the Black Republicans governments.…
The fifteenth amendment states that the “rights of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude ("Primary Documents in American History").” Although we had the 15th amendment, it was not acknowledged until August 6th, 1965 with the passing of the Voting Rights Act. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 further addresses discrimination based on race. In section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, it states that voting procedures discriminating against race or gender is barred ("History of the VRA"). The 15th Amendment and the Voting Rights Act, both limit the states abilities to set voter qualifications.…
In 1920 and 1971 the 19th and 23rd amendments were ratified giving women and citizens 18 or older the right to vote. Even though these rights are stated in the Constitution the minorities are prevented from…
Statement of Qualification I am more than qualified to carry out this research because I am highly educated on the situation and my research can only add to what I’m already knowledgeable of. I have studied the basics of law for 4 years and I full understand this legal situation. My first time voting was in 2008, and I witness first had the mass amounts of African Americans that came out to the polls, so I can also relate form a personal experience. VII. Preliminary Sources Survey 1.…
Since its founding, America has stood for suffrage, and has steadily increased this right to virtually all citizens through the years. Many laws and actions have been established to maintain equality amongst voters. The 15th and 19th amendments expanded the vote to African Americans and women, in an example of legal equality. In an attempt to strive for a true constitutional republic, the right to vote must be protected by the law to avoid exploitations from those in power. By maintaining a fair system, citizens are able to voice opinions, and elect officials who they see fit.…