CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land. It is the founding document of the United States that defines the framework and structure for the government of the United States. It is this very document that LIMITS the government and provides the people with INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES.
The Right to VOTE is the most direct INDIVIDUAL RIGHT to participate in the process of electing members of the government including from the President of the United States.
THE RIGHT TO VOTE - U.S. CONSTITUTION
The U.S. Constitution has had several amendments ratified that explicitly expand voting rights. Voting rights were extended to all races, and to women, and to 18 year olds, and eliminate a poll tax.
Prior to 1870, not all races had the right to vote. Even with the 13th amendment, which abolished slavery and granted citizenship, not all races could vote. More specifically, there were restrictions. An amendment to the Constitution was needed to expand voting rights to all races.
Prior to 1920, women did not have the right to vote. An amendment to the Constitution was needed to expand voting rights to women.
Prior to 1962, voting could be restricted by local ordinances that required payment of poll taxes or other taxes. Without these payments, people were not allowed to vote. This was a systemic mechanism to manipulate the vote by eliminating voters access to vote. An amendment to the Constitution was needed to eliminate these restrictions.
In 1971, the voting age was set to be 18 years of age.
THE RIGHT TO VOTE - AMENDMENTS TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION
Let's look at the corresponding amendments:
The 15th Amendment - (Right to Vote Not Denied by Race) ratified 1870
- Section 1 - The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
- Section 2 - The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
The 19th Amendment - (Women's Right to Vote) ratified 1920
- Section 1 - The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
- Section 2 - Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
The 24th Amendment - (Abolition of Poll Taxes) ratified 1962
- Section 1 - The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay poll tax or other tax.
- Section 2 - The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
The 26th Amendment - (Right to Vote at Age 18) ratified 1971
- Section 1 - The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.
- Section 2 - The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
THE RIGHT TO VOTE - U.S. CONSTITUTION - SILVER ROUND
The silver round below is an artistic depiction of the Right to Vote. This silver round is One Troy Ounce Fine Silver
THE RIGHT TO VOTE - U.S. CONSTITUTION - SILVER ROUND REVERSE
This silver round was minted by the Johnson Matthey Assayers Refiners.
THE RIGHT TO VOTE - U.S. CONSTITUTION - SILVER ROUND
Photo taken by me . . . . .
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