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15th Amendment
This amendment granted people the right to vote no matter their race. Although the amendment was passed in 1869, it didn't take until one year later for it to be ratified. Southern states felt like African Americans shouldn't vote so they bypassed this amendment by implementing tax polls and literacy tests.
National Archives -
Alice Paul
Alice Paul is a feminist, political strategist, and suffragist who contributed in the 1920's. She was devoted and determined to fight that ensured the Constitution would protect women and men equally. One of her main accomplishments was the ratification of the 19th Amendment which gave women the right to vote. Alice Paul Institute -
Jennings Randolph
Jennings Randolph had faith in the youth and knew they could become powerful. He was one who wanted to start a movement with the youth and thought that people the age of 18 should be allowed to vote. He brought this idea to the court eleven times before finally achieving it. At last was the 26th amendment which lowered the age of voting from 21 to 18. National WWII Musuem -
19th Amendment
The 19th Amendment states that the right to vote shall not be abridged or denied by the national or state government regarding gender. This allowed women the right to vote which was long overdue. It took over 42 years to be implemented dating back to 1878.
National Archives -
Indian Citizenship Act
This act allowed Native Americans born in the U.S. become to a citizen. Previously, only white and black men were allowed to vote. People felt like Native Americans shouldn't be a part of America and they were treated differently. With this act passing, it grants them to vote and much else.
Library of Congress -
24th Amendment
The 24th Amendment eliminated poll taxes. It abolished the ability to tax voters on elections. The civil rights movement really sparked this to come to a change. Activists would argue that poll taxes would target African Americans and citizens would come to the realization after Bloody Sunday. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
This act outlawed discriminatory practices to voting that were mostly in southern states. This included things like literacy test, prerequisite for voting, and putting polls far from African American communities. This act was meant to really enforce the 15th Amendment.
National Archives -
26th Amendment
The 26th Amendment states that people the age of 18 and over voting rights shouldn't be abridged. This amendment was sparked after WWII but was really in question after the Vietnam War. People felt that if they were old enough to fight in war and sacrifice their young lives, then they should be able to vote.
Constitution Center -
Motor Voter Law
This law was designed to reverse the decline of registered voters. The act was brought to make it easier for citizens to register and vote. By doing this, people can now register through mail, motor vehicle services, and more.
U.S. Department of Justice -
Help America Vote Act
This Act was passed to provide improvements and voter access to elections. HAVA helps create standards for each state to meet. States are funded money by the government to provide the requirements. Some improvements it made were Provisional Voting, Voter ID Procedures, and Updated and Upgraded Voting equipment.
The U.S. EAC