Question

Since the birth of our country, the American electorate has grown tremendously due to addition of three groups of individuals who were not originally included in the election process. Identify all three of these groups and explain why and how they were added into the electorate population. Be sure to discuss any hardships they may have faced during this process.

Answer 1

The 3 groups are;

1.) African American

2.) Youths

3.) Women

Why and how they were added;

1.) African American: In the year 1870, the 15th amendment granted them the right to vote. They were not allowed to vote previously because a literary test was used to test them before they could vote

2.) Youths: in the year 1970, the voting rights act allowed youths (18 year olds) to vote.

3.) Women: The 19th amendment allowed women to vote.

Hardship faced:

African American: Discrimination and racism

Youth: they were sent to war

Women: It was the way things were. It was the status quo.