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Voting Rights: The Struggle for Democracy
Jessica R. Dreistadt
SSP/POLS 497 - Stratification and Public PolicyDecember 15, 2005
 
Table of Contents
Introduction3Obtaining the Right to Vote 3Women4Immigrants5 Native Americans6African Americans6Exercising the Right to Vote7The Voting Rights Act8Voting Difficulties Continue9Race and Class Disparities10Felon Disenfranchisement12Voter Intimidation12Registration and Voting Hassles13Computerized Voting Machines14Florida, 200015Representation of Women and Minorities15Currently on the Table16Conclusion17
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Introduction
Suffrage is a fundamental civil right conferred upon all U.S. citizens aged 18 and older. The journey to this democratic ideal has been, and continues to be, a struggle for power between political parties, states versus the federal government, urban and rural areas, nonprofitorganizations, and individual citizens. This paper will outline the historical events that propelledand shaped the extension of voting rights, the challenges of exercising those rights, and federallegislation that has been passed to reinforce access to the franchise. A discussion about the socialand political ramifications of this ongoing process will conclude our examination. The main focuswill be on racial minorities; the women’s suffrage movement will briefly be explored in contrast tohighlight the role that class has played in this genre of social movements.
Obtaining The Right to Vote
The right to vote was secured for women and African Americans through the Fifteenth and Nineteenth Amendments to the Constitution. Prior to national suffrage, states independentlydecided whether or not to grant these groups the right to vote. Persuading those in power to expandthe franchise while embracing Federalist ideology was a challenge that involved the dedication of many social activists and organizations, cross-sector coalition building, and the development of  political allies. The process was both top-down and bottom-up; those in power had the privilege of choosing which issues would be considered relevant, often for self-serving purposes, while those atthe grassroots provided the impetus for action, the infrastructure to communicate ideas nationally,and the relentless work needed to effectively gain the support of lawmakers.The true meaning of American democracy is subjective, even mysterious, and has been sincethe colonial era. The ‘founding fathers’ spoke and wrote about freedom, liberty, and equality;however, the practices of many indicated quite a different reality. Our federal government’s basicdocuments laid the foundation for equal rights regardless of race, ethnicity, social class, or gender.
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