User:Kristinabrd/sandbox

VOTING
When the United States had its first election day, only white, male, property owners were able to cast their votes. This was true despite the claims of “all men” being created equal in the Declaration of Independence. Eventually, property ownership was dropped as a requirement for voting. Over the course of more than a hundred years, a Civil War was fought that led to African American men being able to vote, women rallied for suffrage, and many 18-year-olds died in Vietnam before they were finally granted the right to vote. Yet despite all of the protesting, letter writing and campaigning done by Americans over the centuries for the right to cast their votes and have their voices heard, millions of eligible voters do not even register to vote.

-Civil Rights activists fought for the right of Americans to vote. -Soldiers fought for the right of Americans to vote in a democratic country. -Soldiers continue to fight for the right of Americans to vote.
 * Bulleted list item A privilege and a right

-Amendment XV: Passed in 1870 after the Civil War, states that the federal state government can not deny any citizen the right to vote based on race. -The Voting Rights Act of 1965: Outlawed literacy tests and poll taxes as requirements for voting. These practices were used throughout the South to get around the 15th Amendment and effectively restrict the voting rights to African-Americans. -Amendment XIX: Passed in 1920, gave to right for women to vote. -Amendment XXVI: Passed in 1971, lowering the voting age from 21 to 18.
 * Bulleted list item The Voting Acts and Amendments in America

-Must be a citizen of the U.S. -Must be a legal resident of the state voting in. -Must be of 18 years of age. -Most states deny voting rights to those convicted of a felony and deriving time in prison, or those declared mentally incompetent by a court of law.
 * Bulleted list item Voting Requirements

-When life is good, many Americans take it for granted. -Many are cynical about politics and politicians in general. -Voting on a work day can be difficult for many. -Media coverage predicts outcomes early and it discourages voting late in the day. -Many feel their one vote can not make a difference.
 * Bulleted list item Why is voter-turn out low?

-In many states, people can register at 17 years of age! -After your 18th birthday, your Voter Registration Card will be send to you in the mail. -You can register through email by going to Congress.org. Once in the site, just follow the simple directions.
 * Bulleted list item Registering to Vote Is Easy!

-Most states have a residency requirement. -Many states also require that citizens be registered to vote for a certain time period before elections. -These two requirements vary from state to state.
 * Bulleted list item Register Early!

-In 1800 Aaron Burr lost presidency by one vote. -In 1845 Texas became a part of the Union by one vote. -In 1868 President Andrew Johnson escaped impeachment by one vote. -In 1876 Rutherford B. Hayes became President by one vote. -In 1923 Adolf Hitler took leadership of the Nazi party by just one vote. -In 1960 John F. Kennedy beat Richard Nixon for the presidency by a margin of less than one vote per precinct.
 * Bulleted list item One Vote Matters

WHY VOTE? BECAUSE YOU CAN!