Final answer:
Historically, four major barriers including institutional restrictions, literacy tests and poll taxes, registration difficulties, and inconvenience have created inequalities that prevent people from voting, impacting the health of the democratic process.
Step-by-step explanation:
Obstacles to Voting Throughout History
Voting is a fundamental democratic right, yet numerous obstacles have historically prevented people from participating in elections. Four critical barriers have included:
- Institutional restrictions such as early voting restrictions, voter roll purges, and gerrymandering.
- Literacy tests and poll taxes, which disproportionately affected African American voters and other marginalized groups.
- Registration difficulties, from complex registration processes to long residence requirements.
- Inconvenience, such as work schedules and transportation issues, leading to lower turnout.
These barriers have resulted in inequalities and how inequality keeps people from voting remains a critical issue for maintaining democratic systems.