Which of the following is an accurate comparison of provisions of election laws and regulations?

Voting Rights Laws and Constitutional Amendments

U.S. election laws date back to Article 1 of the Constitution. This gave states the responsibility of overseeing federal elections. Many Constitutional amendments and federal laws to protect voting rights have been passed since then. 

Constitutional Amendments Affecting Voting Rights

• The 15th Amendment gave African American men the right to vote in 1870. But many weren't able to exercise this right. Some states used literacy tests and other barriers to make it harder to vote.

• The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, gave American women the right to vote.

• The 24th Amendment, ratified in 1964, eliminated poll taxes. The tax had been used in some states to keep African Americans from voting in federal elections.

• The 26th Amendment, ratified in 1971, lowered the voting age for all elections to 18.

Federal Voting Rights Laws

Federal laws passed over the years help protect Americans’ right to vote and make it easier for citizens to exercise that right:

• The Civil Rights Acts created some of the earliest federal protections against discrimination in voting. These protections were first outlined by the Civil Rights Act of 1870 and were later amended by the Civil Rights Acts of

  • 1957

  • 1960

  • 1964

• The Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibited voter discrimination based on race, color, or membership in a language minority group. It also required certain places to provide election materials in languages besides English.

  • The act also placed limits on certain states with a history of voter discrimination. These states had to get federal approval before passing voter restrictions. A 2013 Supreme Court decision struck down this rule.

• The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984 required polling places to be accessible to people with disabilities.

• The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) of 1986 allowed members of the U.S. armed forces and overseas U.S. voters to register and vote by mail.

• The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) of 1993 created new ways to register to vote. It also called for states to keep more accurate voter registration lists.

• The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002 authorized federal funds for elections. It also created the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC). The EAC helps states comply with HAVA to adopt minimum standards on voter education, registration, and ballots.

• The Military and Overseas Voting Empowerment (MOVE) Act of 2009 improved access to voting by military and overseas voters.

Learn more about the federal laws that protect your ability to vote with Know Your Voting Rights, from the Department of Justice.

State Voter ID Laws

Two-thirds of states require you to show some form of identification before you’re allowed to vote. Learn more about states' voter ID requirements.

Voter Fraud, Voter Suppression, and Other Election Crimes

If you witness or suspect election crimes, you can report them. Learn where to report voter fraud and voting rights violations.

Tyles of Federal Election Crimes

Federal election crimes fall into three categories:

• Civil rights violations involving voter intimidation, coercion, threats, and other tactics to suppress a person’s ability to vote. 
  • You have the right to cast your vote in private. There is no law against asking someone who they are voting for. But you do not have to share that information with anyone if you do not want to.
• Voter fraud and voter registration fraud, such as when someone illegally casts a vote in the name of a dead person or someone who has moved. 
  • Many states have strengthened their voter ID requirements to try to stop voter fraud.
• Campaign finance crimes, such as when candidates accept funds that violate the amounts or donors permitted under the law

How To Report Voter Fraud, Intimidation, or Suppression

If you suspect voter fraud, report it to your state or territorial election office. You can also report it to:

• A local FBI office
• A local U.S. attorney's office
• The Public Integrity Section of the Department of Justice's Criminal Division

If you witness or suspect voter intimidation or suppression, there are three ways you can report it:

• Contact your state or territorial election office
• Contact the Voting Section of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice
• Use the Election Complaint Report online form

Is Voting Mandatory in the United States?

In the U.S., no one is required by law to vote in any local, state, or presidential election. According to the U.S. Constitution, voting is a right. Many constitutional amendments have been ratified since the first election. However, none of them made voting mandatory for U.S. citizens.

Voter Accessibility Laws

Voter accessibility laws ensure that people with disabilities or language barriers are able to vote.

If you know you will need accommodations on Election Day, contact your state or local election office to find out what to expect at your polling place. 

Laws and Accommodations for Voters With Disabilities

Several federal laws protect the voting rights of Americans with disabilities. These include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA).

Voters with disabilities have the right to:

• Vote in private, without help

• Have an accessible polling place with voting machines for voters with disabilities

Polling places must have:

• Wheelchair-accessible voting booths

• Entrances and doorways at least 32 inches wide

• Handrails on all stairs

• Voting equipment for people who are blind or visually impaired

If you have a disability, you may:

• Seek help from poll workers trained to use an accessible voting machine, or

• Bring someone to help you vote

You can also ask your election office what other options you have.

• Some states offer “curbside voting," when a poll worker brings everything you need to vote to your car.

• Local organizations may provide transportation to the polls.

• Many states let people with disabilities vote absentee by mail.

Help for Voters Needing Language Assistance

The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) helps people overcome language barriers to voting.

• The downloadable Voter’s Guide to Federal Elections is available in 11 languages. Find tips on everything from registering to vote to casting a ballot on Election Day.

• The National Mail Voter Registration Form is available in 21 languages. You can use it in most states to register and to update your voter registration information.

Federal law also lets anyone who cannot read or write bring someone to the polls to help.

Federal Campaign Finance Laws

Federal law puts limits on campaign contributions to candidates for president and Congress. It requires the candidates to report all the money their campaigns receive and spend.

Know How Much You Can Contribute to a Candidate for Federal Office

Most individuals can donate up to $2,900 per election, per candidate during the 2021-2022 elections. That means you can donate up to $2,900 each to:

• One or more candidates in a federal primary election

• One or more candidates in a federal general election

Learn which organizations and individuals are not allowed to donate to federal candidates. 

Financial Reporting Requirements for Candidates in Federal Elections

The Federal Election Campaign Act requires candidates to report:

• Where the money they raise comes from, and the amounts

• Where the money they spend goes, and the amounts

The law applies to candidates for president as well as for the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.

The Federal Election Commission’s Role in Campaign Finance Law

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) oversees enforcement of the Federal Election Campaign Act. The FEC:

• Sets campaign contribution limits for individuals and groups

• Tracks campaign finance data

• Oversees public funding used in presidential elections