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City elections became nonpartisan so that immigrants were confused over which candidate represented the Machine. Zoning laws were perverted from their original purpose of efficient use of land and community health to segregate the poor and rich. As Burson (2002) argues, these changes ôwhile seeming more democratic, in reality shifted power away from elected officials to interest groupsö (6). The 17th Amendment was passed to reduce special interest powers by calling for direct election of senators. The 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote was passed in large measure because the Progressives felt women were more moral and would naturally vote for Progressive candidates. While both the Machine and the Progressives would win and lose battles,

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