The Influence of the Fifteenth and Nineteenth Amendment on Voter Turnout in the United States

Both the fifteenth and nineteenth amendment influenced voter turnout by altering the Constitution to influence the amount of suffragists at the poll. The fifteenth amendment increased the electorate body by giving African-American men the right to vote(”Fifteenth Amendment”). In the years after the fifteenth amendment was passed, voter turnout noticeably increased African-American participation in the polls(“Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution”). More African-American voters meant more overall ballots cast on Election Day. Voter turnout did not only significantly increase with the fifteenth amendment, but also in 1920 with the ratification of the nineteenth amendment, The nineteenth amendment influenced voter turnout by giving all women the right to vote(“Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution”).

Since the 1980’s, women make up a higher percentage of votes(Bland).

Although women were still timid to attend the voting polls in the decades to follow the ratification of the nineteenth amendment, women are just as impactful, if not more impactful, than men in the election outcomes today.

After the implementation of the fifteenth and nineteenth amendment, voter turnout increased, because voter suffrage was no longer based on race or gender, Voter turnout is also affected by the implementation of laws such as the Motor Voter Laws as well as Photo Identification Laws. In 1993, the Motor Voter Act was passed to influence voter turnout. The motor voter act, more formally known as the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), increased voter turnout by making it easier and more convenient for all people to apply to register to vote(“National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).

Get quality help now

Prof. Finch

Verified

Proficient in: Accountability

4.7 (346)

“ This writer never make an mistake for me always deliver long before due date. Am telling you man this writer is absolutely the best. ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

”). The motor voter act increased voter turnout by giving all citizens the opportunity to register to vote when they receive or renew their driver‘s license(“Motor Voter Law ~ Discover the Networks”).

Although the Motor Voter Act increased voter turnout, this is not always the case with the implementation of new laws. Voter Identification Laws require citizens of certain states to bring personal identification with them to the voting polls to be able to vote(“Voter ID Laws in the United States”). Although this is not a federal law, thirty-four states enforce voter identification laws(“Voter ID Laws in the United States”). This particular law decreases voter turnout, because it only allows citizens who have a state drivers license or state identification to voting rights. Although both laws affect voter turnout in opposite forms, neither have created significant differences in the number of voters at the polls on Election Day. Both the age and socio-economic status of citizens can affect their voter turnout. In the primary election every four years, the voter turnout generally includes twenty percent less eighteen to twenty—nine year-olds than those who are thirty and older(“FairVote.org | What Affects Voter Turnout Rates”).

Younger citizens are usually less educated about politics, and therefore less likely to cast their ballot in the elections(“FairVote.org ] What Affects Voter Turnout Rates”), Similar to the effects age has on voter turnout, socio-economic status also influences voter turnout Often times, higher-class citizens are well educated, and therefore are more likely to be involved in politics and understand the voting process(”What Affects Voter Turnout Rates”), In recent elections, wealthy, higher-class citizens vote at higher percentages than less wealthy, Iower»class citizens(”FuirVote.org I What Affects Voter Turnout Rates”) Voting can be more favorable to higher-class citizens because of their high levels of education, and in turn politicians are more likely to take the ideas of higher-class citizens into account.

Demographically, both age and socioeconomic status have had significant impact on voter turnout. Due to the fact that approximately half of all eligible voters actually cast their ballot in the general and primary elections, propositions such as internet voting and turning election day into a holiday have been proposed in an attempt to increase voter turnout. In a recent Democratic National Committee meeting, Iowa Democrats proposed the idea of online voting to increase voter turnout for the 2016 campaign(Weber). Although this proposal would almost positively increase voter turnout, the government as well as the voting agencies understand how difficult internet voting can be to keep secure(“Computer Technologists’ Statement on lnternet Voting”). Many new proposals involve the use of technology, but one of the most popular proposals only requires a minor calendar change.

Making election day a national holiday would make it easy for United States citizens to make it to the polls and cast their ballots, without having to deal with finding time for it in their work day(Motor Voter Law – Discover the Networks”). Some sources go as far as proposing to combine Election Day with Veterans’ Day and thereby creating Veterans’ Democracy Day($t1tter). This proposal is widely supported, not only because United States citizens would have one extra day of work off, but also because voter turnout would be increased, Although both of these proposals, as well as other popular proposals, are creative and thought provoking, they will still have to be passed by the United States government and accepted among United States citizens.