My point is that the founding fathers in no way intended to grant a universal right to vote in federal elections in the Constitution. As for the states ... well, it's pretty much up to them. What the Constitution does do, by virtue of the 14th, 15th and 19th Amendments, is set forth some parameters upon which a state cannot limit the voting franchise IF that state decides to offer a right to vote in its state constitution. In other words, a state can't formulate a constitution which says you can vote in a state or local election unless you're black, or a woman, etc. The same rule would apply to any federal elections as well.
y you europeans were really nice people during that time as well
that's why the constitution can be amended eekster we took care of that....as time went along
although that amendment was twisted and worded and manipulated in the courts in such a way to give corporations equal rights to individual citizens but that's a whole different story in itself.....
civil war was a huge power grab had little to do with "freeing the slave" at its roots
that's why the constitution can be amended eekster we took care of that....as time went along
although that amendment was twisted and worded and manipulated in the courts in such a way to give corporations equal rights to individual citizens but that's a whole different story in itself.....
civil war was a huge power grab had little to do with "freeing the slave" at its roots
It looks like FZ is correct. Technically the states could allow only one person to vote in each state for each elector, meaning each representative would then have an equal say (because they each represent one voter).
I see nothing in the linked excerpts of the constitution that makes this scenario impossible.
Given that this is possible, the conclusion is that the right to vote is not guaranteed by the constitution.
Actual practice is irrelevant because the original question is about rights and not the likelihood of being able to vote (which is admittedly about 100%).
Interesting info
You've nicely summarized how Presidents and VPs are elected.
But the 14th Amendment Section 2 also specifies the right to vote for Congressional representatives whose races are not tallied via the electoral college. Any state which inhibits citizens of age 18+ from voting for their federal congressmen will see their representation in the US Congress reduced in proportion to the number of voters impeded.
Of course that's not happened since no state to my knowledge has ever impeded qualified voters from voting for their congressional reps at the Federal level.
ZIT's provocative Topic line would be correct if he wrote THERE IS NO RIGHT TO VOTE FOR PRESIDENT & VP IN A FEDERAL ELECTION.
However to say there is NO RIGHT TO VOTE IN A FEDERAL ELECTION belies the rights of all voters to cast a vote for their federal congressional reps.
Thanks to all for the interesting feedback in this thread, which was far more me honking ZIT's poor choice of wording than it was disputing that the POTUS and VP are elected by the electoral college and not by individual American voters.
Liberals are salivating at the prospect of completely trashing the electoral college.
With the electoral college out of the way, Democrats would have the ability to win elections doing what they do best: pander in the inner city ghettos while ignoring the voices of Heartland America.
With the electoral college out of the way, Democrats would have the ability to win elections doing what they do best: pander in the inner city ghettos while ignoring the voices of Heartland America.
Barman trying to cover his ass. He first said this:
Relax Snook. Your statement may possibly have surpassed on the Wacky meter something I said, but nothing you post will ever be as silly as this:
Quote:
Originally Posted by festeringZit
Oh, and by the way there is no "right" to vote in a Federal
Election in our Constitution.
Now he's saying:
"Thanks to all for the interesting feedback in this thread, which was far more me honking ZIT's poor choice of wording "
Relax Snook. Your statement may possibly have surpassed on the Wacky meter something I said, but nothing you post will ever be as silly as this:
Quote:
Originally Posted by festeringZit
Oh, and by the way there is no "right" to vote in a Federal
Election in our Constitution.
Now he's saying:
"Thanks to all for the interesting feedback in this thread, which was far more me honking ZIT's poor choice of wording "
As far as I know we as voters can only vote for three federal offices
1) Pres/VP
2) U.S Senator
3) U.S. Congressman
As has been tirelessly noted by not only ZIT, but myself and a couple others - the Pres/VP are actually put into office based on the votes of the electoral college (designated electors from each state equal to their congressional representation for a final total of 538)
Senators and Congressmen are elected to their federal office by receiving the highest number of popular vote. The constitutional right to participate in this latter federal vote is enumerated in the 14th Amendment, Section 2.
