By Catherine Ulrich Brakefield
“The United States of America will be a republic only so long as its people can vote freely for the candidates they think will govern best. A citizen who is too lazy or indifferent to vote is throwing away one of his most precious rights. He is deliberately disregarding his right to have a voice in his own government. But many voters become so indifferent that they do not vote. This indifference could permit dishonest persons to gain control of a government.” (World Book Encyclopedia 1961)
After our founders
created the Constitution of the United States, there was hurdle after hurdle. For instance, voting. Being a nation of the people, by the people, and
for the people was a completely new concept of government. Would it work, or
would this Nation under God crumble like a deck of cards?
It was logical to
propose that each state would have its own laws on this subject. The
Constitution took effect in the early months of 1789. The voting age was
established at 21 years of age.
Each state
legislature determined who was eligible to vote in the upcoming elections.
Often, they limited voting to white males who owned land. And because this
nation was founded on Judeo-Christian principles, some states utilized
religious tests to ensure only Christian men could vote.
Gradually voting
rules expanded the right to vote to non-landowning white males and those with
religious preferences. Sadly, in our elections today, often Evangelical
Christians do not bother to vote.
After the Civil War,
the 15th Amendment changed the Constitution’s text ensuring the
right to vote could not be denied based on race. Still, not all United States
citizens were granted the opportunity to vote.
It was not easy for women to attain the right to vote equal to men. After Susan B. Anthony’s suffrage movements, demonstrations, and parades, the 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920 and ensured the right for women to vote.
The Native Americans were not recognized as full American citizens until the Snyder Act and did not have the vote until 1924.
All states require a voter
to be a citizen of the United States. Being a United States citizen was the top
priority throughout American history and the prerequisite for voting. People
granted access to America, could not vote until they went to classes to learn
about the history of America, its Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. When
they were granted their citizenship papers, they were given a voting card, as
did every young man and woman who reached the age of twenty-one. Every
individual presented their voting card at the voting booth of their community
voting station.
Most states require
voters to be registered in the precinct for a certain length of time before they
are permitted to vote. Persons who have been convicted of serious crimes, and
members of the armed forces dishonorably discharged for wartime desertion lose
their right to vote in national elections.
One relic of the early
American law was the poll tax which allowed landowners and persons with property
to vote. In some Southern states, this poll tax kept African Americans from
voting. Because to vote, citizens had to pay for the honor. This tax also kept
the very poor from being able to vote.
In 1964, the 24th
Amendment was ratified which prohibited Congress and the states from
implementing a poll tax at federal elections.
With the influx of
the Vietnam War years, protesters lined many state streets. This began the controversy over eighteen-year-olds
fighting in Vietnam, but unable to vote in an election. The opposing views cited
the historical evidence of the past years during the Civil War, when seventeen-and eighteen-year-olds fought, as throughout American history. They fought and
died for what America represented.
President Richard
Nixon signed into law stating no citizen at least 18 years of age or older may
be denied the right to vote on account and their age.
Oftentimes, in America’s earlier history,
attempts to sway the vote toward a certain authenticity or political platform were
utilized to get the necessary votes. To this day, Americans are seeing many
fraudulent methods of swaying the vote toward a political view. However, this
is nothing new.
“Attempts at
fraudulent voting are common, especially in large cities. Different methods are
tried and used. Dishonest party workers try to buy the votes of idlers and vagrants.
Ballot boxes may be “stuffed” with fraudulent votes, or a single voter may try
to vote several times. Again, in a district controlled by a dishonest political
machine, the total vote is sometimes counted fraudulently, and such returns are
reported.” (World Book, 1961)
Our freedoms were
bought with a price. Throughout our American history, ethnic groups like the
Irish, Scots, Italians, and Polish, just to name a few, went through untold
hardships just to feel freedom’s breezes upon their destitute faces. They went
to immigration school to learn our English language and proudly stood in the
long lines at the polling booth for the privilege of voting in their school,
district, and state elections. After World War II, this nation established ‘under
God indivisible’ in its Pledge of Allegiance recognizing the divine hand of God
in successfully winning the war and the knowledge of what God expected of them.
Founded upon
Christian principles, our forefathers strived to instill these values to future
generations. It is sad to see that many Christians think they need not vote.
That God will do what He chooses, after all, neither candidate upholds a
Biblical view totally. However, God tells us differently. James 4:17 says,
“Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” God wants us to do our part in lessening evil
whenever we can.
No, God did not build
Noah’s ark, nor knock down the walls of Jerico, Joshua and Noah had to put their
faith for God into action. Not even His Son had it easy. Jesus died a terrible death upon the cross for
us—Jesus Christ had to show through his actions His great love for us. And God does
not expect us to sit idly by and not put our faith to work. He expects evangelicals and every Christian
to learn everything they can about the people running for office, then vote the
Bible.
America was founded
on Judeo-Christian principles. Christians need to do more than watch television
and shake their heads in dismay, they need to vote and get involved with government
and social issues. As Jesus turned the tables of the money changers (Matthew
21:13), we must be an example of His righteousness and turn the tables of dishonest
politicians. God expects us to be on fire for the Truth. “So then, because you are lukewarm, and
neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” (Revelations 3:16
NKJV)
It took the Civil War
for the valiant African American to receive their unalienable rights in the
voting booth (Swept into Destiny). Women who had worked side by side with their
husbands, during peacetime and wartime, had to pound the streets and give their
menfolk cold meals before they attained their place at the ballot box (Destiny
of Heart).
And what about our proud
Native Americans? They were ignored throughout much of American history. Yet,
continuously displayed boldness, courage, and bravery upon America’s battlefields. Native Americans were segregated like the African American, but few people know this. (The
Lapeer Area and Wilted Dandelions). Proving their worth continuously, they worked
their way to the top to attain what was due them of the American dream—the privilege
to run for political office and to vote for whomever they choose.
When you claim your
rights as a citizen of these United States, you are displaying your American heritage—and
not enabling someone else to take your right to vote for their own.
This Republic was formed for you—The United
States of America’s Sovereign power is chosen by the people it governs. Men
died for your freedoms and the outside world would give all they own to be
where you are—don’t abuse your privilege. Know the facts pertaining to each
delegate and pray for God’s wisdom. “O you who love the Lord, hate evil.”
(Psalm 97:10)
Boldly stand for
righteousness and pray continuously that God will hear your requests. If you
do, America will be triumphant against the battles of deception and deceit and will
triumph as a nation. “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be
his God, and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving…all liars shall
have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the
second death.” (Revelations 21:7,8)
Wilted Dandelions: Rachael is ready to leave her luxurious life in Buffalo, New York, to share the gospel with the Native Americans in the Oregon Territory. But the Missionary Alliance requires their missionaries to be married. Rachael agrees to a marriage of convenience with a man she hardly knows and learns God doesn’t create coincidences—He designs possibilities.
“I loved this quote… ‘I’m still such a babe in Christ. Will I ever stop seeking my desires and reasoning it is God’s will that I satisfy my own whims?’ Can you relate?” Grandaddy A.
An award-winning author, Catherine’s inspirational historical romances include Wilted Dandelions, her Destiny series Swept into Destiny, Destiny’s Whirlwind, Destiny of Heart, and Waltz with Destiny. Her newest book is Love's Final Sunrise. She has two pictorial history books: The Lapeer Area, and Eastern Lapeer Area. Her short stories have been published in Guideposts Books, CrossRiver Media, Revell Books, and Bethany House Publishers. She lives with her husband of 51 years amidst the hills of Michigan with her four Arabian horses. See catherineulrichbrakefield.com
The
World Book Encyclopedia Volume 18
Chicago, Illinois, by Field Enterprises Educational Corp. 1961
https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/the-evolution-of-voting-rights-in-america
Thank you for this post today. Praying that Americans understand the need to use their right to vote.
ReplyDeleteConnie, thank you. Yes, pray everyone votes, most especially Christiians, they need to pray and vote the Bible.
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