Abstract

In this article, we look at how voting rights have changed throughout time in the United States and how
people talk about this democratic principle now. This article traces the progression of women's suffrage
from its inception in the era of financial, racial, and gender voting limitations to its eventual attainment
as a result of the Civil Rights Movement and landmark constitutional amendments. The message deftly
navigates the contentious issues surrounding voting rights by using state-of-the-art technology. Both
attempts to limit voting, such as gerrymandering and stringent identification requirements, and
initiatives to increase accessibility, such as mail-in voting, fall under this category. There is a clear party
split, with Republicans stressing the need for honest voting methods and Democrats demanding
universal voting rights. Some recent legislative initiatives that emphasize the importance of political
institutions, especially the executive and legislative branches, in formulating legislation pertaining to
voting rights include the People's Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Throughout
that time, the paper explores this subject. It will get straight to the point, explaining how citizen-led
initiatives and activist organizations like the ACLU and NAACP are motivated to defend voting rights in
response to court orders and other demands. Lastly, the piece highlights the significance of keeping an
eye on things and doing what we can to protect and expand voting rights, citing the historical
significance of landmark legal guidelines like the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the importance of public
involvement in achieving a more inclusive democratic approach.
The Evolution of Voting Rights in the United States and Its Present-Day Controversy
Hey there!
There is a close relationship between the evolution of voting rights in the United States and the
contemporary debates and legislative initiatives that shape American democracy. A long and winding
road has led to the right to vote for all citizens, beginning with the most egregious forms of economic,
gender, and racial discrimination and ending with the landmark amendments and civil rights movements
that expanded voting rights. However, there are now heated discussions around birthday parties,
methods of voter suppression, and how to strike a balance between accessibility and the integrity of the
election. Understanding the intersection of historical development and contemporary discourse is
crucial for fully appreciating the challenges that voting rights confront in the present day. By delving into
this complex story, we can appreciate the significance of tireless lobbying and legislative efforts that
safeguard democracy and guarantee the right to vote for everyone.
The American Voting Rights Movement and Its Historical Background
Limitations on voting rights based on gender, race, and wealth were substantial in the early United
States. The poor did not have the right to vote since the government was controlled by wealthy
landowners. Several major barriers, such as grandfather clauses and ballot pricing, prevented African
Americans from exercising their constitutional right to vote, perpetuating systemic racism (Mudde,
2022). The exclusion of females from voting was a deliberate strategy to silence their voices and prevent
them from becoming politically active. In the American political system, the extension of voting rights
has progressed substantially throughout time. Constitutional changes, such as the 15th Amendment,
which granted voting rights to African American males in 1870, altered the course of the fight for
equality.
In 1920, women were granted the right to vote as a result of the 19th Amendment, which acknowledged
their significance in democracies. The 26th Amendment, passed in 1971, granted the right to vote to
those under the age of 18 and decreased the voting age to 18 overall (Mudde, 2022). The Civil Rights
Movement of the '50s and '60s persisted in its struggle for voting rights in spite of these changes.
Following the lead of civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis, African Americans
challenged voting suppression via the courts and staged peaceful demonstrations. The efficient federal
monitoring and implementation of the act allowed millions of previously denied Americans the right to
vote, especially in places with a history of institutional racism.
Voting Rights Debates in the Modern Era
Discussions on voting rights in the United States now center on contentious issues such party
differences, voter suppression, and efforts to restrict voting. One strategy to discourage voting is to
impose stringent voter ID law requirements, which disproportionately impact low-income communities
that do not have the necessary identity. Also, gerrymandering is used to change district lines so that
certain demographics, especially minority communities, have less influence in the voting process (Ross,
2019). The problem is made worse by the fact that certain communities have reduced the number of
polling stations and hours, leading to longer wait times and less accessibility for voting.
Similarly, with the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, the increasing number of mail-in voting options provides
a reasonable and easily convenient way to fabricate a poll. The development of computerized voter
registration and the expansion of mail-in balloting options are two examples of measures taken by
California to increase accessibility and voter participation. A further complication is the fact that there
are partisan disagreements on voting rights. Republicans stress the importance of maintaining honest
elections by calling for stronger voter identification laws and other safeguards against ballot fraud (Ross,
2019). As part of their platform, Democrats have called for universal early voting and the
implementation of automated voter registration in order to level the playing field. Democrats include it
as a vote casting rights safety law, highlighting the ideological gap in Congress, while Republicans
oppose it, alleging government overreach and partisan bias.
The Function of Political Organisms
A legislation protecting the right to vote must be passed by Congress. According to Broockman and
Butler (2017), party gerrymandering and conflicts over automatic voter registration were encouraged by
the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and For the People Act (H.R. 1). There is partisanship
when senators use filibusters to prevent a bill that would provide citizens the right to vote. To preserve
the right to vote, Congress sometimes finds common ground and acts federally. While congressional
hearings provide an opportunity for study on voting rights and expert testimony, inactive federalism
encourages actions at the state level. The legitimacy of the president's acts and the right to vote are
fundamental to his government. The president issued executive orders urging citizens to register to vote
and to cast ballots, while commissions or task forces dealt with questions of voting rights.
Federal financing for election infrastructure and the president's vociferous appeals to Congress to
protect the right to vote are signs of the administration's dedication to the right to vote. Decisions made
by the Supreme Court have a significant impact on inmates' ability to vote. Redistricting plans, voter ID
legislation, purges, and closures of polling places are among matters that the Court considers. Appeal
decisions from lower courts concerning voting rights, including cases of racial discrimination, may be
heard by the Supreme Court (Broockman & Butler, 2017). Evaluations of the court's decisions and the
integrity of the election process by the general public further demonstrate the court's significance in
protecting democracy and the franchise.
In the United States, debates and laws pertaining to voting rights are sparked by interest groups,
activism, and interest businesses. Organizations such as the NAACP and the American Civil Liberties
Union spearheaded the multipronged campaign for voting rights. According to Holyoke (2020), the
American Civil Liberties Union has filed criminal proceedings in court to contest strict voter ID
regulations and purges of voter rolls. In a similar vein, the NAACP has championed voting rights, litigated
to eliminate discriminatory voting practices, and marketed voter registration drives for quite some time.
Protesting and drawing attention to voter suppression has been an integral part of the social justice
agenda of grassroots groups such as Black Lives Matter, which has included calling for the right to vote.
Voter education, criminal prosecution, and activism were the cornerstones of the anti-voter-suppression
platforms established by organizations like Stacey Abrams's Fair Fight. The League of Women Voters is
an apolitical organization that promotes voter registration and participation, holds candidate forums,
and campaigns for legislation to make voting easier. Nonprofits and labor groups like as the AFL-CIO and
the Open Society Foundations promote programs to safeguard citizens' voting rights by lobbying,
fundraising, and organizing at the grassroots level (Holyoke, 2020). Amendment four, spearheaded by
voting rights activist Desmond Meade, allowed almost one million formerly incarcerated Floridians to
reclaim their right to vote. Protests lead by members of the public, such as the "March on Washington
for Voting Rights," rally support and remind lawmakers of the importance of voting rights.
In summary
As a symbol of victory against oppression and a means for the voiceless to be heard, voting rights are
fundamental to democracies. The legacy of Jim Crow laws and other forms of discrimination from the
past influences current partisan divides and legislative agendas. While historic statutes like the Voting
Rights Act of 1965 have expanded voting rights, they have also been obstructed by debates that put
accessibility against election integrity. It is crucial to be vigilant and actively work towards the goal of
ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to vote in order to combat efforts to suppress the vote and
promote fairness in our democratic system. This can only be accomplished via public participation,
advocacy efforts, and the backing of legislation such as the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
and the For the People Act. Understanding the importance of voting rights throughout history is crucial
for creating a more inclusive democracy and ensuring that everyone has the chance to cast a ballot.
References

Holyoke, T. T. (2020). Interest groups and lobbying: Pursuing political interests in America. Routledge.
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781003041795/interest-groups-lobbying-thomas-
holyoke

Broockman, D. E., & Butler, D. M. (2017). The causal effects of elite position‐taking on voter attitudes:
Field experiments with elite communication. American Journal of Political Science, 61(1), 208-221.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ajps.12243

Ross, B. L. (2019). Passive Voter Suppression: Campaign Mobilization and the Effective
Disfranchisement of the Poor. Nw. UL Rev., 114, 633. https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?
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