The
most common form of government in all of recorded world history is
monarchy, where only one person's vote really mattered - the king's.
In colonial America, landowners were granted a right to vote on certain issues.
This broadened to include those owning a certain amount of personal property.
After
the Revolution, States gradually let those without land vote if they
paid taxes, but many States continued religious and literacy tests.
In 1870, the 15th Amendment let former slaves vote.
In 1920, the 19th Amendment let women vote.
In 1924, American Indians could vote in Federal Elections.
In 1961, the 23rd Amendment let District of Columbia residents vote in Federal Elections.
In 1964, the 24th Amendment let vote those who could not pay a poll tax.
In 1965, the Voting Rights Act removed literacy tests.
On JUNE 22, 1970, President Nixon extended the Voting Rights Act to let 18-year-olds vote.
The Supreme Court, in
Oregon v Mitchell, limited this right so the 26th Amendment was passed in 1971 to confirm it.
President Nixon stated March 24, 1970:
"In other areas, too, there were long struggles to eliminate discrimination...
Property
and even religious qualifications for voting persisted well into the
19th century - and not until 1920 were women finally guaranteed the
right to vote."
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On August 24, 1972, Nixon said:
"For the first time in the 195 year history of this country, men and women 18 to 21 years of age will have the chance to vote."
Noah Webster wrote in an article titled, Letters to a Young Gentleman Commencing His Education, New Haven, 1823:
"When
a citizen gives his suffrage (vote) to a man of known immorality, he
abuses his trust; he sacrifices not only his own interest, but that of
his neighbor, and he betrays the interest of his country."
In 1832, Noah Webster wrote in his
History of the United States:
"When
you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public
officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to
choose for rulers 'just men who will rule in the fear of God.'
The preservation of a republican government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty.
If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made not for the public good so much as for the selfish or local purposes;
corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the laws;
the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men;
and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded.
If
a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and
happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the divine commands,
and elect bad men to make and administer the laws."
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