1. 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?

2. Chapter 6, Section 1
The Right to Vote

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

4. 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

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

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

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

8. 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

9. 1971, 26th Amendment*:
minimum
voting age can be no more than 18 years of age

10. 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)

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

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

13. 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