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15th amendment
The 15th amendment gave African Americans the right to vote. Although it was passed, Southern states still passed laws now known as Jim Crow laws to restrict African Americans from voting in the South. The date is the day it passed Congress. National Archives -
Guinn v US
This court case officially deemed the Grandfather Clause unconstitutional (happened in Oklahoma) and discriminatory towards black people. It was also deemed as violating the 15th amendment. It is important to suffrage because it officially made one of the most discriminatory laws in the South unconstitutional and gone for good. The date is the day the ruling was decided. Oklahoma Historical Society -
19th amendment
The 19th amendment gave the right to women to vote. The date I chose represents the date Congress passed the amendment. This now amendment written by Susan B. Anthony was first presented to Congress in 1848 and passed 70 years later. National Archives -
Indian Citizenship Act
The Indian Citizenship Act granted US citizenship to Native Americans born in the US. Even though they were citizens, Native Americans voting was up to the states. Until 1957, some Indians were not able to vote even though they were US citizens. Eventually, Native Americans were able to vote because of this act. The date is the day Congress enacted the act. Library of Congress -
24th amendment
The 24th amendment of the US Constitution banned poll taxes from federal elections. This amendment was put in place to stop discrimination of African-Americans in voting. This is the date that this amendment passed Congress. Ronald Reagan -
Reynolds v Sims
Reynolds v Sims was a court case that argued that one senator for each county in Alabama was unconstitutional because it violates the Equal Protection Clause in the 14th amendment (population varies from county to county). The court voted that it was unconstitutional and not everyone was getting equal representation. It gives the people of Alabama a more equal say in the government. The date is when the ruling was decided. Oyez -
Voting Rights Act
The Voting Rights Act was passed to enforce the 15th amendment. Southern states found loopholes in the 15th amendment that still restricted specifically African-Americans, so that led to the Voting Rights Act. The date is the day the Voting Rights Act was published. National Archives -
26th amendment
The 26th amendment gives the right for 18 year olds to vote. This amendment was passed because 18 year olds could be drafted, but they couldn't vote. The date is the day the amendment passed Congress. White House -
Help America Vote Act (HAVA)
The Help America Vote Act was passed to get more people in the US to vote. It created new mandatory minimum standards for states and it gave funding to states to meet these new minimum standards. The date is when President George W. Bush signed the act into law. Election Assistance Commission -
Shelby County v Holder
Shelby County v Holder was a lawsuit filed by Shelby County, Alabama asking to declare Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act unconstitutional. Section 5 says that certain jurisdictions with a history of discrimination have to submit any proposed change of voting procedure to the US department of Justice. Supreme Court decided that the section was unconstitutional. The date is when the decision was made. Brennan Center