Civil Voting Rights
The right to vote is considered one of the fundamental rights of citizenship. In the United States, the right to vote has been an area of controversy throughout its entire history. The right to vote has been challenged regarding former slaves, women, immigrants and ex-offenders at different periods of American history. Even in the 21st century, controversy continues to center around the right to vote.
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Property Ownership
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At the beginning of the existence of the United States, suffrage, or the right to vote, was limited to white male property owners. The exception was New Jersey, which allowed women property owners to vote. However, the right to vote was expanded throughout the 19th century, first to taxpayers, whether they owned land or not. The right to vote was gradually expanded to include nearly all white male residents. The expansion of suffrage for white males was accompanied by severe voting restrictions on other groups, mainly black people and women, but also immigrants.
Former Slaves and other African Americans
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In the North before the Civil War, black people were allowed to vote with relatively few restrictions in only a handful of states: Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. In the South, the majority of black people were slaves, and therefore had few, if any rights.
After the Civil War, the Constitution was amended specifically to allow freed male slaves the right to vote. However, after Reconstruction, many Southern states enacted what were known as "Jim Crow" laws to repress the rights of former slaves, and specifically to prevent black people from voting.
A significant turning point in voting rights for African Americans was the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which outlawed many of the practices used to keep black people from exercising their right to vote. The Voting Rights act was amended and extended in 1970, 1975 and 1982.
In 2009, the Voting Rights act again came up for ratification by the Supreme Court. The Court extended the act, however, there were significant indications that the Voting Rights Act may be struck down in the near future because it is viewed as no longer necessary.
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Women
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Women have been politically active throughout the history of the Untied States. Women were a significant force behind the abolitionist movement. They also were active in attempting to encourage temperance. In 1916, Jeannette Rankin of Montana became the first woman elected to represent her state in the House of Representatives.
Colorado became the first state to grant women the right to vote by adapting a state amendment in 1893. In 1912, Theodore Roosevelt's Bull Moose party adapted a women's suffrage plank as part of their party's platform. Nonetheless, women did not gain the right to vote throughout the entire United States until 1920, with the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution.
Naturalized Citizens
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Immigrants who wish to become American citizens are required to undergo the process of naturalization. Naturalization is a lengthy process, requiring potential citizens to demonstrate an ability to speak English as well as knowledge about the government and history of the United States. Other requirements include legal residence within the United States and good moral character. Some requirements may be waived for spouses of American citizens. Immigrants who become naturalized citizens also have the right to vote in all elections.
Ex-Offenders
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In most states, prisoners are not allowed to vote while they are incarcerated. In addition, once they are released, ex-offenders often continue to be disenfranchised, or lose the right to vote, either temporarily or permanently. Some ex-offenders may petition to have their voting rights restored if they are pardoned by the governor or similar legislative authority in the states in which they live. Conservatives are especially opposed to restoring voting rights to ex-offenders.
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