Final answer:
The ideas of the Declaration of Independence are evident today in the voting rights amendments that have expanded the franchise and promoted equality, aligning with the principle that 'all men are created equal’ as well as the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Option 2.
Step-by-step explanation:
One clear way that the ideas stated in the Declaration of Independence are evident today is through voting rights amendments.
The core principle of the Declaration that "all men are created equal" with "unalienable rights" to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" underpins the democratic processes and the expansion of franchise in the United States.
Over time, several amendments have been added to the U.S. Constitution to ensure broader enfranchisement, reflecting the ongoing effort to embody the Declaration's ideals.
The equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment further solidifies this by requiring the states to treat all residents equally under the law, which supports the principle of equal representation in voting.
Voting rights were expanded through amendments like the Fifteenth Amendment, which prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on race, and the Nineteenth Amendment, which grants women the right to vote, moving towards a more inclusive democracy.
These amendments, along with others and various Civil Rights movements, have continued to push for a society that lives up to the egalitarian principles of the Declaration.
Each amendment and court decision builds upon the legacy of the Declaration, making its ideas a living part of contemporary American law and society. Option 2.