The Electorate

The eligible voting population in a country

Who makes up the current U.S. electorate?

American citizens who are at least 18 years old, registered to vote and have no convicted felonies (more serious crimes with over a year of jail time).

Who originally was given the right to vote in the U.S.?

• White male landowners

• How has that changed since then…..

15th Amendment

• 1870

• The right to vote cannot be denied base upon someone’s race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

• Problem: Southern states instituted Jim Crow laws to segregate and take away political and civil rights of the freedmen.

19th Amendment

• 1920

• The right to vote cannot be denied on account of sex.

• Problem: not many women were political, therefore, husbands received “2” votes.

23RD Amendment

• 1961

• Electoral college votes will be granted to the District of Columbia but never exceed the number of any state (3).

• Problem: Residents of D.C. never had the right to vote for President although they were U.S. citizens.

26th Amendment

• 1971

• The age minimum for voting was lowered to 18.

• Problem: Vietnam War protests sparked the need to lower the age; people argued, “Why should I have to die for a country I have no say in?”

Voting is the easiest way for citizens to participate in their

government.

What are some other ways to participate in your government?

• Join a political party• Register others to

vote• Write letters• Call/contact

representatives• Donate money• Help political

campaigns

• Put a sign on your lawn

• Peaceful protest• Lobby for your cause• Join an interest group• Petition• Attend policy

meetings• Work at polling

stations

If voting is the easiest way to participate, why don’t more

Americans vote?• Too busy• Apathetic (don’t care)• Never registered• Lazy• Issues don’t concern

me• Bad weather• Out of town

• My vote doesn’t count• Don’t know how• All politicians are

crooks