Voting and Voter Behavior

Define the following terms in your notebooks:

suffrage- franchise- electorate-

. The Expansion of the Electorate The Framers of the Constitution purposely left

the power to set suffrage qualifications to each State.

(1789) Right to vote was given to white male property owners

The history of American suffrage has been marked by 2 long-term trends The gradual elimination of several voting

restrictions over the years. The State’s original power over the right to vote

has been gradually assumed by the Federal government.

Extending Suffrage: The 5 stages1. Early 1800’s * Religious, property ownership, and tax

payment qualifications were eliminated2. Following the Civil War * The 15th Amendment was ratified in

1870.3. Early 1900’s * The 19th Amendment was ratified in

1920.

4. 1960’s *The Voting Rights Act of 1965 and its

later extensions provided racial equality. *The 23rd Amendment gave voting rights

to the electorate in the District of Columbia.

5. 1970’s *The 26th Amendment gave voting rights

to citizens of 18 yrs. old

1. U.S. Citizen2. 18 years old on or before the next general election3. A resident of Ohio for at least 30 days

immediately before the election4. Registered to vote at least 30 days before the election

http://www.lakecountyohio.gov/lakeelections/electionshomepage.aspx