Race based barriers

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Race based barriers Racial gerrymandering Literacy
tests Poll taxes Grandfather clauses The Voting
Rights Act of 1965 aimed to end discrimination
against African Americans
Barriers to Participation in the States
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Barriers to Participation in the States
Registration barriers Districting
barriers Ineligible voters Felons (except ME and
VT) Non-citizens Party system barriers Non-compet
itive elections
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Poll Taxes Literacy Tests
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Literacy Tests ALABAMA (1965) What did you
score?
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Barriers to Participation in the States
Registration barriers Districting
barriers Ineligible voters Felons (except ME and
VT) Non-citizens Party system barriers Non-compet
itive elections
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Participation in the States Discuss ideal
state laws
Group work on HANDOUT!
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SAME DAY REGISTRATION

• States w/ closing dates near election day have
  HIGHER voter turnout than states w/ early cutoffs
• Estimate National SAME DAY registration would
  produce a 7 point jump in of registered voters
• The of citizens who give quite a lot of
  thought to an election jumps from 59 (Sept.) to
  75 (late Oct.) At the very time voters
  interest is peaking, state deadlines for
  registration have just passed!
• Same day registration states clearly inform
  voters of penalties for fraud most post posters
  at polling places, and others send postcards to
  all voters

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North Dakota No Registration?

• North Dakota abolished voter registration in
  1951
• Officials check voter information (any proof of
  residency) against past voting lists. Even
  voters with no ID can sign an affidavit of
  residency
• Polling place officials can challenge a
  persons right to vote if they suspect fraud. If
  convicted of fraud, you can get 1 year of jail
  time / 2,000 fine.
• North Dakota precincts are very small, and as
  such the state reports no problems with voter
  fraud
• ND turnout was below 60 in only 1 prez election