Final answer:
Voter-registration regulations became more burdensome in the post-1890s due to efforts to curb corruption, the influence of political machines, and targeted disenfranchisement, especially against minority voters. This included implementing literacy tests, poll taxes, and grandfather clauses. Recently, concerns over voter fraud and new laws affecting voter registration and ID requirements have continued to influence voter participation.
Step-by-step explanation:
After the 1890s, voter-registration regulations became more burdensome due to increasing fears of corruption, fraudulent voting, and the influence of urban political machines. These concerns led various northern and western states to adopt reforms like pre-election registration, extended residence qualifications, prohibitions on non-citizen voting, and the implementation of literacy tests. For instance, 13 northern and western states had barred illiterate adults from voting by the 1920s, and western states had prohibited Asians from voting.
Additionally, there were instances of targeted disenfranchisement, particularly against Black voters, through mechanisms like literacy tests, poll taxes, and grandfather clauses. These measures made voting more difficult and prevented broad political participation. Moreover, different states had varied requirements for voter registration and voting, which also played a role in creating hurdles for potential voters.
Disenfranchisement persisted throughout the early 20th century, and as a reaction to the widespread suppression of Black voters, Congress eventually intervened with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, thereby outlawing racially discriminatory voting practices. However, new concerns about voter impersonation fraud, voter registration drives restrictions, and voter ID laws have arisen, further affecting voter registration and turnout in recent years.