It is not true that all citizens have a voice in choosing their representatives, though it is more nearly true today than ever before.  The right to a voice in this choice is called the suffrage.  It is bestowed only on those citizens who possess certain qualifications.  The constitution of each state fixes the qualifications for those who live within the boundaries of the state, the national government having exercised no control over the matter except in two cases.  After the Civil War, the Fifteenth Amendment to the Federal Constitution was adopted, providing that “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States, or by any state, on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude”; and recently Congress has enacted another amendment to the federal Constitution which, when approved by a sufficient number of states, will bestow the suffrage upon all women of the nation who possess the other necessary qualifications.

EARLY DISTRUST OF THE PEOPLE

The founders of our nation were far from democratic as we now understand the term.  They believed that the government should be controlled by the educated and propertied class, which was small.  The lack of confidence in the people was shown in various ways, but among others by the restriction of the suffrage.  This was true even in the New England town meeting, which we are in the habit of considering as the most democratic of institutions.  For instance, no one could vote in colonial times who did not belong to the church.  Religious qualifications were soon abolished however, and property qualifications have almost completely disappeared, though in some states voters must be taxpayers.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE SUFFRAGE

Today no citizen may vote in any state who has not reached the age of 21.  The reason for this is clear and just, but it excludes from the suffrage about 30 million young citizens.  Persons of unsound mind are denied the suffrage, and citizens may be disqualified by crime.  In some states illiterates are denied the right to vote.  In most states foreigners must have completed the process of naturalization, which requires five years before they may vote.  All states require residence in the state and in their local districts for specified periods prior to voting.  But with these exceptions, the suffrage is now possessed by practically all male citizens who are 21 years of age or over, and is rapidly being extended to women on equal terms with the men.

WOMAN SUFFRAGE