1. VOTING RIGHTS AND
BEHAVIOR
Universal Suffrage and How Americans Vote

2. Universal Suffrage
• Everyone in the United States who is at least 18 years old
has the right to vote
• Applies to all political elections.

3. 2012 Election Demographics
• Women – 55% Democrat, 44% Republican
• Men – 45% Democrat, 52% Republican
• Ages 18-29 – 60% Democrat, 37% Republican
• Ages 65 and over – 44% Democrat, 56% Republican

4. Demographics Cont.
• Education
• Some HS – 64% Democrat, 35% Republican
• HS Graduate – 51% Democrat, 48% Republican
• Some College – 49% Democrat, 48% Republican
• College Graduate – 47% Democrat, 51% Republican
• Post Graduate Degrees – 55% Democrat, 42%
Republican

5. Demographics Continued
• Race/Ethnicity
• Caucasian – 39% Democrat, 59% Republican
• African American – 93% Democrat, 6% Republican
• Hispanic – 71% Democrat, 27% Republican
• Asian – 73% Democrat, 26% Republican

6. Amendments
• 12 (1804) – Officially set up the Electoral College
• 15 (1870) – All men over the age of 21 now available to
vote regardless of race
• 17 (1913) – Direct election of senators

7. Amendments Cont.
• 19 (1920) – Gave women the right to vote
• 24 (1964) – Eliminated the poll tax
• 26 (1971) – Changed voting age from 21 to 18