History of Voting in the United States

1776 North Carolina Constitution

1776

This was the NC's Constitution that went along with the US' Constitution in 1776, when America declared it's freedom from Great Britain.
This is significant because the white male citizens of that time were able to vote in America and it gave American's their first taste of freedom.

Seneca Falls Convention

Jul 19, 1848

This convention was the birthplace of feminism. It was a convention for women's rights that promoted women being able to vote.
This was significant because it was the first step towards women being able to vote. These women fought for their right to vote until it was eventually won in the 1920's.

Passage of the 15th Amendment

Feb 3, 1870

This amendment states that no matter your race or color you can vote in the United States.
This is significant because it gave African American men the right to vote in America.

Jim Crow Laws

1877

These were laws that made it so that the African American vote would not count such as poll taxes and literacy tests.
This is significant because it inspired African Americans to fight for their freedoms and rights.

The Passage of the 17th Amendment

Apr 8, 1914

This amendment allows the Americans to directly vote for their senators.
This is significant because it gave the senators one vote in the Senate along with giving each state two senators.

Passage of the 19th Amendment

Aug 18, 1920

This amendment states that a person can vote no matter their sex/gender.
This is significant because this gave both women and men the right to vote in America

Indian Citizenship Act

1924

This gave the Native Americans citizenship in America.
This is significant because this also gave the Native Americans the right to vote in America.

Passage of the 23rd Amendment

Mar 29, 1961

This amendment allowed for the residents of Washington D.C. to vote directly in the Electoral College.
This is significant because it gave the citizens a chance to vote in the Electoral College.

Passage of the 24th Amendment

Jan 23, 1964

This amendment states that the poll taxes were unconstitutional.
This is significant because all Americans could vote no matter how rich or poor they were and the did not have to pay to vote.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Aug 6, 1965

This was around the time of segregation so it was protecting African American's right to vote.
This is significant because it protected the African American vote during segregation which gives equality to all.

Passage of the 26th Amendment

1971

This amendment states that any person that is 18 years or older can vote in America.
This is significant because it set the age limit for voters in the U.S.