Should American Citizes be required to take a test of basic American History before being allowed to vote?

Question

Should American Citizens be required to take a test of basic American History before being allowed to vote?
why or why not?

im not saying that american citizens should be required to take a test, im actually against it. i just want to hear what you think. sheesh.

Answer 1

The problem with this is very simple! The voting is a right, not a privilege! The only way a citizen should be disqualified from voting is if they have, by their own actions, forfeited that right. (For example, a felony conviction can bar the right to vote, just as it can bar the right to a firearm).

You can not take away a person's rights just because they do not know historic facts!

Answer 2

Not no , but HELL NO! That type of abuse was tossed out in the 50s and 60s with the so-called literacy tests that were used mainly in the deep south to keep blacks out of the polls. A white voter was typically asked what his dog's name was whereas a black voter was asked to write a 5,000 word essay on quantum physics. Or a white voter was asked a "civics" question along the line of what was the name of the country while a black voter was required to write out The Constitution verbatim along with all amendments.

The sad truth is that probably 90% of Americans of voting age would flunk an 8th grade level test on American History & Government. That would leave the operation of government to the Illuminati, hardly with the best interests of the majority at heart.

Answer 3

no, because there is no benefit from that to the populus after an election. it's elitism and it runs contrary to the one man, one vote principle of democratic theory. now, if the definition of "man" were to be someone who knows and can recount with complete adequacy and competency basic american history, ok, but no, it's not. and it should never be.
many people are also illiterate, have reading/writing problems (i.e. english is a very new second language), do not have a basic understanding of american history because they either immigrated here, what have you. also education in many parts of this country reallllly sucks. but what does knowing/having the ability to take a test on basic american history have to do with knowing what candidate best represents your current values and needs in the modern world?? i don't think it does.

-also, if we look at our history, reading/literary exams were used to discriminate against blacks & non-whites from voting-

http://www.crmvet.org/info/lithome.htm

Answer 4

i may be chuffed if many who vote in simple terms had a tenth grade difficulty-unfastened experience point. difficulty-unfastened experience examination question a million&2 of one hundred. while a flesh presser speaks, is it - A. BS additionally huge-unfold as spin B. Taking a unfavorable and twisting the language to make it sound effective C. in no way talks approximately their own record yet continuously bashes the different persons record. D. all the above Do you help your flesh presser by using fact - A. They belong on your party B. You dislike the different guy or woman greater. C. because you think of they continuously tell the reality D. You forget approximately approximately their record in simple terms you may vote for them. E. all the above. Get the element....it is not in any respect the flesh presser, it is the fool referred to as a voter that reasons the subject concerns.

Answer 5

No we should not deny any (citizen) of the USA the right to vote if they are eligible to do so. Based on what I have seen on Y/A if we used your suggestion there would be a lot of people who could not vote

Answer 6

What would be the point? How does knowing the date of the battle of Gettysburg relate to knowledge of current events?

Answer 7

We already do that in school, but maybe public school kids should be since it seems all they are taught is to be part of the group and dont hurt anyones feelings.

Answer 8

noooo.

Answer 9

No.