Rights and Responsibilities

**Who Can Vote** Four amendments address voting rights in the United States: • **15th Amendment (1870)** — Citizens of any race can vote • **19th Amendment (1920)** — Women can vote • **24th Amendment (1964)** — You don't need to pay a poll tax to vote • **26th Amendment (1971)** — Citizens 18 and older can vote Only **U.S. citizens** can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury. **Rights of Everyone in the United States** Even non-citizens have important rights in the U.S., including: • Freedom of expression and speech • Freedom of peaceful assembly • Freedom to petition the government • Freedom of religion • The right to bear arms **The Pledge of Allegiance** When Americans say the Pledge of Allegiance, they show loyalty to **the United States and the flag**. The Pledge affirms commitment to the nation and its values of liberty and justice for all. **The Oath of Allegiance** When becoming a citizen, new Americans make important promises: • Give up loyalty to other countries • Defend the U.S. Constitution • Obey the laws of the United States • Serve in the military if needed • Be loyal to the United States **How to Become a Citizen** People become U.S. citizens through: • **Birth** in the United States (under the 14th Amendment) • **Naturalization** — the formal process for immigrants • **Deriving citizenship** through parents (under conditions set by Congress) **Civic Responsibilities** Rights come with responsibilities. Americans are expected to: • **Vote** — the most important civic act • **Pay taxes** — required by the Constitution (16th Amendment) and law • **Obey the law** • **Serve on a jury** when called • **Register for the Selective Service** — required for men 18-25 • **Serve in the military** if needed • **Participate in democracy** — contact elected officials, run for office, join civic groups **Civic Participation** Examples of civic participation include: voting, running for office, joining a political party, helping with a campaign, joining civic groups, giving elected officials your opinion on an issue, contacting elected officials, and writing to newspapers.