??????????????????????????? What a stupid thing to say. There is no constitutional right to vote. Many states don't let felons vote.
Voting is not explicitly guaranteed as a constitutional right in the original U.S. Constitution, but it has been recognized as a fundamental right through constitutional amendments and Supreme Court rulings.
Here’s how that works:
Constitutional Amendments That Protect Voting
While the original Constitution doesn’t directly grant a right to vote, several amendments prohibit discrimination in voting access:
- 15th Amendment (1870): Prohibits denial of voting based on race, color, or previous servitude.
- 19th Amendment (1920): Grants women the right to vote.
- 24th Amendment (1964): Bans poll taxes in federal elections.
- 26th Amendment (1971): Lowers the voting age to 18.
These amendments don’t say “everyone has a right to vote,” but they
limit how and why voting can be denied.
Judicial Recognition of Voting as a Fundamental Right
The U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed that
voting is a fundamental right, meaning it’s essential to preserving other rights. Key cases include:
- Reynolds v. Sims (1964): Established “one person, one vote,” requiring equal representation in legislative districts.
- Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections (1966): Struck down poll taxes in state elections, reinforcing that wealth shouldn’t affect voting eligibility.
When laws burden voting rights, courts apply
strict scrutiny, requiring the government to justify the restriction with a compelling interest.
Permissible Restrictions
Despite its fundamental status, voting isn’t absolute. States can impose:
- Age and residency requirements
- Voter registration deadlines
- Restrictions for felons (varies by state)
These are allowed if they’re narrowly tailored and serve a legitimate state interest.
Summary
So while the Constitution doesn’t say “you have the right to vote” in plain terms,
the combination of amendments and judicial interpretation makes voting a protected and fundamental right in U.S. law.
legalclarity.org/is-voting-a-fundamental-right-in-the-united-states/
I can break down how Nevada or Utah handle felon voting or registration deadlines if you’d like to go deeper.