18-, 19-, and 20-Year-Old Americans Get the Vote in 1971

Front

According to the passage, what was the common voting age requirement in most states before suffrage expanded beyond white Protestant men?

Back

21 years or older

Front

Which groups gained the right to vote through Constitutional amendments prior to 1971, as named in the passage? Select the correct sequence by year: African American men (1870), American women (1920), 18–20-year-olds (1971)

Back

African American men (1870), American women (1920), 18–20-year-olds (1971)

Front

Strategic Thinking: Use evidence from the passage to explain one reason supporters argued for lowering the voting age to 18 and assess how this reason connects to civic responsibility.

Back

Supporters argued that if 18-year-olds could be drafted to fight in wars, they should also have the right to vote, connecting military service to civic responsibility.

Front

During the civil rights movement, what was one method some states used to prevent black citizens from voting, and why did it have that effect?

Back

Poll taxes, which required payment to vote and disproportionately affected black citizens who often could not afford the fee.

Front

Recall: What federal law passed in 1965 addressed racial discrimination in voting, and what did it prohibit?

Back

The Voting Rights Act of 1965; it prohibits racial discrimination in voting.

Front

In 1970, how was the voting age lowered and what limitation still existed before the 26th Amendment? Options: By presidential order; it applied to all elections immediately. By an extension to the Voting Rights Act; it applied to presidential and vice-presidential elections but not state and local elections. By a Supreme Court decision; it applied only to local elections. By a new amendment; it applied only to primaries.

Back

By an extension to the Voting Rights Act; it applied to presidential and vice-presidential elections but not state and local elections.

Front

Strategic Thinking: Describe the ratification process mentioned in the passage for the 26th Amendment and explain why this step is important in a federal system.

Back

The 26th Amendment was ratified by approval from three-fourths of the state legislatures, which is important in a federal system because it ensures broad agreement across states.