Rights and Responsibilities

Rights of everyone in the United States

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Some rights belong to everyone living in the United States, not only to citizens. They include freedom of expression and freedom of speech, which mean you can share your ideas and opinions.

Freedom of assembly means people can meet together in peaceful groups. Freedom to petition the government means people can ask the government to change something. The right to bear arms (the Second Amendment) protects the right to own guns, under the law.

Freedom of religion means you can practice any religion, or not practice a religion at all. The government cannot choose an official religion for the country.

Voting and rights only for citizens

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Four amendments to the Constitution are about who can vote. The 15th Amendment (1870) says a male citizen of any race can vote. The 19th Amendment (1920) gave women the right to vote, so any citizen, woman or man, can vote.

The 24th Amendment (1964) says you do not have to pay a poll tax (a fee to vote) to vote in federal elections. The 26th Amendment (1971) says citizens 18 and older can vote. So to vote for President, a citizen must be at least 18 years old.

Some rights are only for U.S. citizens: voting in federal elections and running for federal office. Some responsibilities are also only for citizens, such as serving on a jury (a group of people who decide a court case) and voting in federal elections.

Becoming a citizen and the promises you make

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There are three main ways to become a U.S. citizen. People can be born in the United States, under the rules of the 14th Amendment. People can naturalize, which means apply, pass the interview and test, and take an oath. And some children derive (receive) citizenship from their citizen parents, under rules set by Congress.

At the end of naturalization, new citizens take the Oath of Allegiance. In it they promise to give up loyalty to other countries, to defend the Constitution and laws of the United States, to obey the laws, and to be loyal to the United States.

New citizens also promise to serve in the military if needed, and to serve the nation (do important work for the country) if needed.

The Pledge of Allegiance is a different promise that people say often, for example at school or at public events. When people say the Pledge, they show loyalty to the flag and to the United States.

Taking part and serving the country

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Civic participation means taking part in the life of your community and your country. The most common way is to vote. You can also run for office, join a political party, or help with a campaign.

You can join a civic group or a community group, and you can give an elected official your opinion on an issue, for example by calling or writing to your senators and representative. You can also publicly support or oppose an issue or policy, or write a letter to a newspaper.

There are many ways to serve the country. Americans serve by voting, paying taxes, obeying the law, serving in the military, running for office, or working for the local, state, or federal government.

Taxes and the Selective Service

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Federal taxes pay for the work of the federal government, such as the military, federal roads, and many other services. Paying taxes is required by law and is a civic duty. The 16th Amendment (1913) allows Congress to collect a federal income tax.

Most people send their federal income tax forms once a year. The last day to send them is usually April 15. If that day falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.

Men ages 18 through 25 must register with the Selective Service, a list the government would use if it ever needed a draft (a required call to military service). Men should register when they turn 18. Registering is required by law, it is a civic duty, and it helps make a draft fair if one is ever needed.

Important words

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Right

A freedom that the law protects.

Poll tax

A fee people once had to pay to vote. The 24th Amendment ended it in federal elections.

Jury

A group of citizens who listen to a court case and decide it.

Naturalize

To become a citizen after being born in another country.

Oath of Allegiance

The promise new citizens make to be loyal to the United States.

Pledge of Allegiance

A short promise of loyalty to the flag and to the United States.

Civic duty

Something a good member of the community should do, such as voting or paying taxes.

Selective Service

The government list of young men who could be called if there were a draft.

Recap

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• Everyone living in the United States has freedom of expression, speech, assembly, petition, and religion, and the right to bear arms.
• Four amendments protect voting: any race, women and men, no poll tax, and age 18 and older. Only citizens vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury.
• People become citizens by birth, by naturalization, or by deriving citizenship from parents. New citizens promise loyalty to the United States in the Oath of Allegiance.
• Americans take part by voting, joining groups, and contacting officials, and they serve by paying taxes, obeying the law, and serving in the military.
• Federal tax forms are usually due April 15. Men 18 through 25 must register with the Selective Service.