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1776
Voting is controlled by each state. You must be a white man, 21 or older and owning land to vote. -
1788
Founding Fathers establish electoral college. -
Period: to
1820 - 1830
Voting opens up to all white men regardless of land ownership. Some free black men are now allowed to vote -
1840
Woman start to petition for a right to vote. Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Stanton are key leaders in the Suffragette Movement. -
1848
Wisconsin enters into the union. The have very relaxed voting laws. Women are still not allowed to vote. A group of abolitionist activists meet in Seneca Falls, New York. -
1850
Literacy laws are established. This was put into place to prevent freed slaves and immigrants from voting and allowing white men to continue. -
1866
The 14th amendment is passed by Congress. Men over 21 with residence in the U.S. can vote. -
1869
The 15th amendment is passed by Congress. Gives the right to vote to men of all color or race. Women in the Wyoming Territory are given the right to vote. -
1870
Utah Territory gives women the right to vote. -
1878
An amendment is introduced to give women the right to vote, however it does not pass. -
1893
Women in New Zealand are given the right to vote. -
1896
Idaho gives women the right to vote. -
1910
Washington gives women the right to vote and run for office. -
1911
California gives women the right to vote. -
1917
Canadian women are allowed to vote. -
1920
The 14th amendment is passed and women can now vote nationwide. -
1923
A poll tax is put in place discouraging many not to vote. -
1924
The Indian Citizenship Act allows Native Americans to vote and gain citizenship. -
1964
The poll taxes are outlawed. -
1965
The Voting Rights Act outlawes a literacy test and comlicated ballot instructions. -
1971
Congress agrees to lower the voting age to 18. -
1975
Congress includes translating resources for those who cannot read or speak English. -
1984
People with disabilities are given increased acessibility to polling places. -
2000
For the first time the U.S. Supreme Court has to elect the president after votes are miscounted.