Question

“United States v. Susan B. Anthony: Justice Ward Hunt's Court Ruling:” What do the following lines from Paragraph 1 reveal about voting laws?

“The right of voting, or the privilege of voting, is a right or privilege arising under the constitution of the state, and not under the constitution of the United States. The qualifications are different in the different states. Citizenship, age, sex, residence, are variously required in the different states, or may be so. If the right belongs to any particular person, it is because such a person is entitled to it by the laws of the state where he offers to exercise it, and not because of citizenship of the United States. If the state of New York should provide that no person should vote until he had reached the age of thirty years, or after he had reached the age of fifty, or that no person having gray hair, or who had not the use of all his limbs, should be entitled to vote, I do not see how it could be held to be a violation of any right derived or held under the constitution of the United States.”

Answer 1

The lines from Paragraph 1 reveal that voting laws in the United States are determined by the Constitution of each individual state, rather than the Constitution of the United States.

Step-by-step explanation:

The right of citizens of the United States is revealed form paragraph 1, and this right is determined by the Constitution of each individual state. The qualifications for voting can vary among states, including factors such as citizenship, age, sex, and residence.

These qualifications are determined by the laws of each state, not by citizenship in the United States. Therefore, if a state were to set limitations on voting such as age or physical characteristics, it would not be a violation of any rights under the Constitution of the United States.

The historical struggle for suffrage in the United States showcases a dynamic and evolving understanding of voting rights, as seen through various constitutional amendments.

The 15th Amendment enfranchised men regardless of race, the 19th Amendment extended this right to women, and the 26th Amendment lowered the voting age to 18. These amendments, along with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, signified major milestones in expanding the electorate and combatting voter suppression.