Write your answer to the following question in a paragraph. Why do you think certain groups of Americans have worked so hard throughout our history to keep other groups from voting? Why would some groups risk their lives to gain the right to vote?

Chapter 6, Section 1 The Right to Vote

Vocabulary *Suffrage : the right to vote (AKA “franchise”) *electorate : the potential voting population

Expanding the electorate Early years : only included white male property owners Early 1800s : religious qualifications were gradually removed By mid 1800s, almost all white males could vote

After the Civil War, the 15th Amendment removed the racial barrier to vote

In 1920, women were given suffrage with the 19th Amendment

In the 1960s, legislation enforced the mandates of the 15th Amendment

In 1964, the 24th Amendment banned poll taxes** In 1961, residents of DC were given electoral votes with the 23rd Amendment * In 1964, the 24th Amendment banned poll taxes** *23 for DC **24 protects the poor

1971, 26th Amendment*: minimum voting age can be no more than 18 years of age

Chapter 6, Section 2 Universal voter qualifications: Citizenship Residence (in state) Age (18, except in Nebraska---17 in all elections if you will be 18 by Nov. election)

Registration Procedure of voter identification 49/50 states require it Became common in early 1900s

Persons denied suffrage Mentally incompetent Most states disqualify convicted felons* A few states bar people with dishonorable discharge from armed forces

Gerrymandering (#29 on review) Drawing of electoral district lines to limit the voting power of a group or political party Got its name from this drawing, a cartoon based on a electoral map of Massachusetts Supposedly looked like a salamander and map was supervised by Eldridge Gerry