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1776
White males at least 21 years old, but most states included property or even religious requirements. In New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania free black men can vote. -
1856
White males at least 21 years old, no longer any property or religious requirements. -
15th Amendment
The 15th Amendment in theory extends the right to vote to all races; however, poll taxes, literacy tests and grandfather clauses eventually prevent most black males from voting. -
19th Amendment
The 19th amendment expands the franchise to women. -
1924
Congress passes legislation extending citizenship, and therefore voting rights, to Native Americans, but many states continue to deny these voting rights. -
1943
Congress ensures Chinese Americans have the right to vote by repealing the Chinese Exclusion Acts. -
23rd Amendment
The 23rd Amendment provides citizens of the District of Columbia with the right to vote for President and Vice President, but not for Congress. -
1964
The 24th amendment prohibits the use of poll taxes for federal elections, ending a practice that still existed in five states when the amendment was passed. -
1965
Congress passes the Voting Rights Act that outlawed barriers to political participation by racial and ethnic minorities such as literacy tests and discriminatory districting and registration practices. -
26th amendment
The 26th Amendment expands the franchise by lowering the voting age from 21 to 18.