Topic 5.1: Voting Rights and Models of Behavior

Expanding the electorate: Suffrage Amendments in American History

15th (1870) People cannot be denied the right to vote on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude
19th (1920) Citizens cannot be denied the right to vote on account of sex
23rd (1961) Resident citizens of Washington D.C were granted electors in the Presidential election (no more than the smallest state)
24th (1964) Citizens cannot be denied the right to vote by reason of failure to pay a tax (poll tax or others)
26th (1971) Citizens eighteen years or older cannot be denied the right to vote on account of age

*Special Note for Amendment 17:

Voting Models: Decisions that determine a person’s vote

Rational - Choice

Evaluating campaigns to determine what benefits the voter most (this could be personal issue-based or societally-based)

Retrospective

Looking back at a candidate’s track record or a party’s history

Prospective

Looking ahead; which candidate has a vision that I support?

Party-Line

Being loyal to a party, not a candidate

Topic 5.2: Voter Turnout

Administration and Registration

National Voter Registration Act (1993)

Increased the locations where citizens can register to vote, like at the DMV (“Moto Voter Law”)

Help American Vote Act (2002)

Made voting more accessible, easy, and accurate. Changed punch-card voting to electronic; gave more options to the disabled.

Types of Ballot