Week 3 - Voting & Elections

Question 1

What are the five voting amendments? Based on each amendment, who is allowed to vote?

Answer 1

• 14th Amendment (1868): Defined citizenship and extended it to anyone born or naturalized in the U.S., ensuring equal protection under the law.
• 15th Amendment (1870): Granted African American men the right to vote.
• 19th Amendment (1920): Granted women the right to vote.
• 24th Amendment (1964): Abolished poll taxes, which targeted African American voters.
• 26th Amendment (1971): Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, allowing all citizens 18 and older to vote.

Question 2

What is the impact of the 2013 Shelby v. Holder U.S. Supreme Court decision on the Voting Rights Act of 1965?

Answer 2

It eliminated the requirement for certain states to obtain federal preclearance before changing voting laws, leading to an increase in voter suppression laws.

Question 3

What is gerrymandering?

Answer 3

The practice of drawing electoral district boundaries to favor a specific political party or group.

Question 4

What is a poll tax?

Answer 4

A fee required to vote, historically used to disenfranchise African American and poor white voters.

Question 5

What are the accepted forms of identification required under Texas’ voter identification law?

Answer 5

• Texas driver’s license
• U.S. passport
• Texas personal identification card
• Texas concealed handgun license
• Military ID card with photo
• U.S. citizenship certificate with photo
• Texas Election Identification Certificate

Question 6

Do you think that any of the forms of ID listed above is a poll tax? Why or why not?

Answer 6

Yes, because some require fees to obtain, which can be a financial burden and restrict the ability to vote.

Question 7

What are ways that Texas and the federal government can compromise on how to ensure the rights of ethnic minorities in the electoral process?

Answer 7

• Implementing uniform federal standards for voter ID that do not require payment
• Increasing funding for voter education and outreach programs
• Establishing independent commissions for redistricting
• Enhancing protections against voter intimidation and ensuring accessible polling places

Question 8

Why do you think ensuring the right to vote for all citizens is so controversial?

Answer 8

It involves balancing different political interests, historical biases, and opinions on state versus federal control, impacting minority and disadvantaged groups.