Voting Rights and the Amendments

1. 1.

   What did the 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, say about voting?

   AThe right to vote cannot be denied because of race, color or previous servitudeBEvery citizen over 21 must voteCWomen may vote in all electionsDSenators are elected directly by the people of each state instead of by state legislatures
2. 2.

   Which amendment guaranteed women the right to vote, and in what year was it ratified?

   AThe 15th Amendment, 1870BThe 24th Amendment, 1964CThe 19th Amendment, 1920DThe 26th Amendment, 1971
3. 3.

   The 24th Amendment banned a practice that had kept poor voters away from federal elections. What was it?

   ALiteracy tests given only to some voters at the pollsBVoting by mailCPoll taxes, a fee charged to voteDRegistering by party
4. 4.

   The 26th Amendment changed the voting age. What did it set it to, and why then?

   A21, to match the drinking age and the age of full legal adulthood in most states at the timeB16, so students could vote on school boardsC25, the age to serve in the HouseD18, after the argument that people old enough to be drafted should be old enough to vote
5. 5.

   What did the Voting Rights Act of 1965 do?

   ACreated the Electoral CollegeBBanned literacy tests and let the federal government oversee elections in places with a history of discriminationCGave each state two senatorsDSet Election Day as the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in every state and territory for all federal offices
6. 6.

   The table is a timeline of voting-rights amendments. Which year is missing?

   A1954B1964C1965D1968

   
7. 7.

   In most states, what must a citizen do before they can cast a ballot?

   APass a short civics test at the polling placeBRegister to vote by the state's deadlineCJoin a political partyDOwn property in the state
8. 8.

   Who actually runs elections in the United States, printing ballots and counting votes?

   AThe president's staff and the federal agenciesBCongressCThe Supreme CourtDState and local election officials
9. 9.

   The picture sorts ways voting rights were expanded. Which belongs in the blank card?

   

   AThe 15th AmendmentBThe National Voter Registration Act of 1993CThe 24th AmendmentDThe Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments
10. 10.

    What is gerrymandering?

    ACounting the population every ten yearsBDrawing district boundaries to favor one party or groupCHolding a primary election to choose a party's candidateDRequiring photo identification to vote

Voting Rights and the Amendments — Answer key

1. 1.A — The right to vote cannot be denied because of race, color or previous servitude
   2.C — The 19th Amendment, 1920
2. 3.C — Poll taxes, a fee charged to vote
   4.D — 18, after the argument that people old enough to be drafted should be old enough to vote
3. 5.B — Banned literacy tests and let the federal government oversee elections in places with a history of discrimination
   6.B — 1964
4. 7.B — Register to vote by the state's deadline
   8.D — State and local election officials
5. 9.B — The National Voter Registration Act of 1993
   10.B — Drawing district boundaries to favor one party or group