Impact: Disenfranchisement mainly affects those with felony records, taking away their right to vote and stopping them from having a say in important issues that impact their lives. This creates a cycle where they feel powerless.

Historical Connections: This is like past voting rules such as literacy tests and poll taxes, which tried to keep Black Americans from voting. These unfair practices have changed but still exist today.

Proposed Solutions: To fix these problems, we can use automatic voter registration, allow early voting, add more polling places, and share clear information. These steps can make voting fairer for everyone.

Impact: The Disenfranchisement impacts the modern black is part of a history of racial division and suppression in the US stretching back before the Revolutionary War.

Historical Connections: It is related to Voting Rights Act of 1965. Also the 24th Amendment outlawed poll taxes, but while the amendment extended the right to vote to many African Americans, it was not enough.

Proposed Solutions: To fix these problems we should alloww everyone to vote even homeless, and people show have lesser money than everybody else. This can help make voting fair for everybody.

3. What historical connections can you make to early American voting rights?
   Voter disenfranchisement has deep historical roots in the United States, reflecting a long struggle over voting rights. Early voting restrictions were often based on race, gender, and socioeconomic status. For example Property Requirements, Racial Restrictions, Gender Disenfranchisement, and Native American Disenfranchisement. These historical examples of disenfranchisement demonstrate that the fight for voting rights has been ongoing. Today’s voter suppression tactics echo these past injustices, reminding us of the importance of vigilance in protecting the right to vote for all citizens.

4. What solutions or reforms are being proposed to address this issue? 

   To address voter disenfranchisement, various solutions and reforms are currently being proposed and discussed Automatic Voter Registration, Expanded Voting Access, Restoration of Voting Rights, Simplifying Voter ID Laws, Voting by Mail, and Education and Outreach. These reforms are part of a broader movement to ensure that every eligible citizen can easily exercise their right to vote, addressing the systemic issues that have historically led to disenfranchisement.

2. How does this issue impact voter participation or rights?
   Voter disenfranchisement significantly impacts voter participation and rights by creating barriers that prevent eligible individuals from casting their votes. Those most affected include Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Low-Income Individuals, Elderly Voters, and Students. These barriers not only suppress turnout but also undermine the principle of equal representation in democracy. When specific groups are systematically disenfranchised, it skews electoral outcomes and diminishes the legitimacy of the political system, ultimately affecting policy decisions that impact all citizens.

3. What historical connections can you make to early American voting rights?
   Voter disenfranchisement has deep historical roots in the United States, reflecting a long struggle over voting rights. Early voting restrictions were often based on race, gender, and socioeconomic status. For example Property Requirements, Racial Restrictions, Gender Disenfranchisement, and Native American Disenfranchisement. These historical examples of disenfranchisement demonstrate that the fight for voting rights has been ongoing. Today’s voter suppression tactics echo these past injustices, reminding us of the importance of vigilance in protecting the right to vote for all citizens.

4. What solutions or reforms are being proposed to address this issue?
   To address voter disenfranchisement, various solutions and reforms are currently being proposed and discussed Automatic Voter Registration, Expanded Voting Access, Restoration of Voting Rights, Simplifying Voter ID Laws, Voting by Mail, and Education and Outreach. These reforms are part of a broader movement to ensure that every eligible citizen can easily exercise their right to vote, addressing the systemic issues that have historically led to disenfranchisement.

**Impact:** Every individual has the right to influence their present and future. Today’s youth are eager to assert their voices in the decisions that shape their lives.

**Historical Connections:** The struggle for voting rights, as highlighted by Amendments 15 through 19, remains relevant today and must be upheld.

**Proposed Solutions:** We will empower young people to engage in the political process and actively advocate for the Youth Voting Rights Act by writing to their representatives.

What solutions or reforms are being proposed to address this issue?

The law is being fought over to remove it.

It will impact voter participation because they will probably get more votes. If the age to vote is dropped, then they will get more votes because it will allow youth to vote. 

 So the historical connection is that this connects with how women and black people had  to fight to be able to vote 

Legislation is  being introduced to change the voting age to 16 by  Grace Maeng from New York 

The issue I looked into is voter disenfranchisement, which means some people face unfair rules that make it hard for them to vote. This includes things like strict ID requirements and fewer voting locations in certain areas. It’s important because voting is a basic right, and these obstacles prevent some people from having a say in important decisions.

2. How does this issue impact voter participation or rights?

This issue affects people of color, low-income families, young people, and others who struggle to meet the voting requirements or get to polling places. It means that not everyone’s voice is heard equally, which can affect the choices made in government.

3. What historical connections can you make to early American voting rights?

In the past, groups like African Americans and Native Americans faced unfair restrictions, like literacy tests and poll taxes, to keep them from voting. Today, some groups still face similar barriers that make voting hard for them.

4. What solutions or changes are being suggested to fix this issue?

People are suggesting ways to make voting easier, like letting people register online, adding more ways to vote like by mail, and creating rules to protect against unfair voting restrictions. These ideas make voting fairer for everyone.

1. The Issue

   Voter disenfranchisement has been an issue in the U.S. for a while. It excludes people of color and people with criminal records. It can prevent people from voting, with false info and Voter ID laws, or restrict it completely (usually made for people with criminal records). If not excluded, then it may be a grueling process too.

2. The Impact

   In 9 states, people with criminal records are permanently banned from voting. Over 25 allows you to vote only after fully serving prison, parole, and probation. Some states will create barriers or do poll voter purges to prevent people from having their choice in the vote. States could also reduce polling places. This could cause the targetted minorities and groups to give up and no longer vote.

3. References to History

   Voter Disenfranchisement has been happening for a while, but before, it focused on cutting out minorities and poor people. It first started with having to own a piece of land to vote. It was soon abolished, but it only permitted white men. The 15th Amendment finally allowed people of race and color to vote, but of course, some states took action. People would make literacy tests, poll taxes, and grandfather clauses, which discouraged people of color from voting. It wasn't until the 24th Amendment was passed in 1964, which banned poll taxes and such. Then, the Voting Rights Act came in 1965. Even though it helped target minorities, it wasn't enough to stop people from at least trying to stop them. Even worse, the Voting Rights Act was weakened, as it was unconstitutional.

4. Solutions

   Some groups go to court for bills to abolish them, like ACLU. I think it could help to make more polling stands, but to give more info, allow early voting, and make new ways to vote. It would help the most to abolish the bills that are making the minority targeting policies.

Impact: This impacts any U.S. citizen over the age of 18 and anyone who votes using these machines. The government could also be hurt by this since the Executive branch plays the main role in these elections.

Historical Connections: Years ago when voting rights were being expanded, people who didn't approve of this expansion tried to "hack the system". That means back then, they tried to stop certain people from voting. That or they changed their vote.

Proposed Ideas: The Brennan Center has outlined steps we can take to improve our election administration across the board, including replacing old voting machines, upgrading voter registration databases, conducting thorough audits of paper ballots, performing regular risk assessments, and fixing ballot design defects. And we’re supporting a bipartisan bill in Congress that would give states the funding they need to tackle these problems.

1. What is the voting issue you researched, and why is it significant today?
   It is contreversy over the law not letting prisoners vote when in their sentences, it is significant because of the number of felons their is and the number of times people have been wrongly sentenced

2. How does this issue impact voter participation or rights?
   It affects the people who were sentenced wrongly and the voting polls themselves,

3. What historical connections can you make to early American voting rights?
   There is a theory that this law connects straightly to racism since they did this after they banned the taxes and english tests and because of black peoples bad realation ships with cops, but at the same time back then there were cruel punishments for everything-

What solutions or reforms are being proposed to address this issue?
People have been making justice clubs since the 1970s and some states are changing their laws

This impacts voters' rights making it harder to help with the tolls of a vote. Such as POC, natives on reservations, and people with a criminal record/history. Voting is another way people can voice their opinions, and by actively taking it away or making it harder to do so. Voting can also determine their district or countries future and it's important to help in doing so.

This is similar to past suffrages such as Women's Suffrage. By 1920, women were allowed to vote, yet sadly black women/WOC were excluded from most feminist discussions back in the day.

This is also similar to how the government tried to get through loopholes to stop or make it harder for African Americans to vote.

According to Brennan Center for Justice, one of the solutions for Disenfranchisement is to "Protect Eligible Voters From Improper Purges of the Voter Rolls" meaning that "Congress and the states should pass laws ensuring that eligible voters aren’t disenfranchised by improper purges."

What solutions or reforms are being proposed to address this issue?
To fix this problem, there are plans to change/amend the constitution, to allow U.S. territories to vote.

IMPACT: This issue impacts individuals with felony records by removing their voting rights, and people of color which prevents them from having a voice in significant situations and issues, leaving them feeling disenfranchised.

HISTORICAL CONNECTIONS: Voting disenfranchisement connects to old practices like literacy tests and poll taxes that were designed to exclude Black Americans from participating in elections. Although these specific unfair practices have been removed, similar issues still are around today.

PROPOSED SOLUTIONS: To address these issues, we can offer early voting opportunities, add more polling places, and provide clear information to the public. These measures can help ensure that voting is equal for everyone.

impact: it prevent people from voting and this impacts the way society functions because people of color and past criminals may have a different opinion than people who don't have criminal records or aren't considered colored. They also have a more negative experience with voting so it may deter them from voting.

Connections: In class we are learning about things like Poll taxes and literacy tests that poor people of color or poor people in general who couldn't pay the tax or for education would fail the literacy test and not be able to vote, or not paying the tax would prevent them to vote.

Solutions: organizations like the LWV are raising money to help stop this.

It is important today because people may be away on time of election day. The problem is some mailed ballots arrived late to the residence of the voters. The USPS tried to improve the system, but until now no improvement has been made. Another issue is the likelihood of fraud. A Minnesota woman was caught turning a ballot for her dead mother.

Impact: Mail-in ballots could affect the democracy of the U.S.A. because of fraudulent activities. The right person may not be able to win because the opponent may capture the ballots or delay their arrival in the mail.

Historical Connections: Casting the ballots in person on election day has always been the normal practice of exercising the rights of U.S. citizens. But over the years like the war and the pandemic, mail-in voting became necessary.

Proposed Solutions: To fix these problems, we need the commitment of the U.S.P.S. to safe, on time and well-checked mail-in ballots.

restricts certain groups of people from voting through laws and practices that make voting harder. It mainly affects people of color, people with low income, people with felony convictions, and people with disabilities. This issue exists for many reasons, including economic barriers, strict laws, etc.

Impact: The disenfranchisement affected people with felony convictions, and those of color, taking away their right to vote. This prevented them from having a voice in significant situations and issues.

Historical Connections: Voting disfranchisement is similar to past voting restrictions, including grandfather clauses. This barrier would allow individuals to bypass literacy tests and other voting restrictions if their grandfather had been eligible to vote before the Civil War. However many black Americans had grandfathers who were enslaved before the Civil War which blocked them from voting, which is similar to today's restrictions

Proposed Solutions: To address this issue, some solutions and reforms are currently being discussed. Such as restoration of Voting Rights, Automatic Voter Registration, Expanded Access to Voting, Voter ID Reform, Civic Education, and Legislative Action. These solutions would be good ideas for improvement in the area of voting.

Impact: The government will know everyone’s opinions and they will get more votes. They will mostly know the youths opinions, and not focus so much on the adults.

Connection: This connects to when Amendment required the age to vote to be lowered from 21 to 18.

Solution: The government is discussing the start pre-registration. This is a lesson for 16-17 years olds to get prepared to vote at 18. Also, On campus polling places, making it easier for college students to vote too.

The people most affected by this are the people voting and the people being elected, and it would be unfair if one person had more votes than the other but someone hacked the machines to tilt the election in their favor.
A historical connection I can make is when the machines had a problem in 2012.

Some changes being discussed are upgrading and securing voting infrastructure. They are also considering adding federal, state, and local safeguards.

Impact:

The people most affected by this issue are those living in the U.S. Territories as they are a part of the U.S. and live under America's laws yet still do not have the right to vote just because they aren't an American State.

Connection to History:

This topic has a connection to history as many people were not allowed to vote. For example, I can take the Native American People as they were not allowed to vote because they weren't a state yet they lived on the American Reservation. It took them about 200 years to finally get the right to vote.

Solutions:

While no solutions have been implemented yet, granting them the right to vote could be an effective approach. This would ensure they have a voice in our government and can actively participate in shaping decisions that affect their lives.

1. What is the voting issue you researched, and why is it significant today?
   My voting issue is voter ID laws, it is significant today because it's happening today and challenges people who have no ID.

   
   

2. How does this issue impact voter participation or rights?
   This impacts voters who don't have an ID like immigrants and that can be unfair because they can't participate in voting.

   
   

3. What historical connections can you make to early American voting rights?
   this relates to how certain groups couldn't vote early America voting like how immigrants can't vote if they don't have an ID and how people like women and black men could not vote early on in American voting

   
   

4. What solutions or reforms are being proposed to address this issue?

There are exceptions to not needing to have a ID like religion, having a reasonable impediment, and or due do having a natural disaster. and some states have less strict rules.

This issue involves not letting prisoners vote when they are imprisoned. This is significant today because so many felons cannot vote. Not to mention the "felons" who were wrongly convicted and still cannot vote or fight for their rights.

2. How does this affect voters?

   This affects the voters because just because they are in prison, that does not mean that they aren't smart enough to vote. Also, not enough voices are being heard to calculate the votes.

3. Historical connections:

A historical connection that I can make is how, a long time ago, native Americans, felons, people of color, women, and poor people couldn't vote.

4. Solutions:

A solution that they should make for this voting issue is that they should make a ballot for the felons, or they should at least let them mail in their votes. I do not think that it is fair that we cannot hear their voices. Not to mention the people who were wrongly convicted or the people who regret their actions and don't want to live like that anymore.

Voter suppression is when legal or extralegal efforts are made to restrict/reduce voting from certain parties or groups.

How does this issue impact voter participation or rights?

This issue both impacts participation and rights. Depending on the way voters are suppressed, the rights of voters can be legally taken away or voters can be pressured not to participate.

What historical connections can you make to early American voting rights?

Back then people of color had many legal and extralegal barriers that took away their voting rights and the people who are most affected by voter suppression right now are people of color.

What solutions or reforms are being proposed to address this issue?

Many states are enacting or discussing about enacting restrictive laws on voting and others are discussing about restoring the Voting Rights Act to its full strength and more.

Voter suppression is when legal or extralegal efforts are made to restrict/reduce voting from certain parties or groups.

How does this issue impact voter participation or rights?

This issue both impacts participation and rights. Depending on the way voters are suppressed, the rights of voters can be legally taken away or voters can be pressured not to participate in voting.

What historical connections can you make to early American voting rights?

Back then people of color had many legal and extralegal barriers that took away their voting rights and the people who are most affected by voter suppression right now are people of color.

What solutions or reforms are being proposed to address this issue?

Many states are or are discussing enacting restrictive laws on voting and others are discussing restoring the Voting Rights Act to its full strength and more.