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Voting Rights
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United States Constitution signed.
The Constitution establishes a bicameral (two house) Congress with a House of Representatives and a Senate. The people are allowed to vote for representatives. The Representatives would then choose Senators. The President was selected by the Electoral College. Voting rights were determined by the states. Voting rights are generally limited to white male landowners. -
First Elections
South Carolina holds the first Congressional election for the 1789 Congress. American Revolution hero Thomas Sumter is one of five members elected. -
Virginia Elects Representatives
Virginia completes the first Congressional election. Future President James Madison is elected and chosen leader of the Anti-Administration minority. -
12th Amendment Ratified
New Hampshire becomes the 13th state to ratify the 12th amendment making it law. Electors in the Electoral College now vote separately for President and Vice-President -
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Seneca Falls
To celebrate the visit of women's rights activist Lucrecia Mott a convention is arranged at Seneca Falls, NY. Elizabeth Cady Stanton reads the Declaration of Sentiments, helping start the push for women's suffrage -
15th Amendment Ratified
Black males acquire the right to vote when Iowa becomes the 28th state to ratify the 15th amendment -
Susan B. Anthony Arrested
Susan B. Anthony is arrested in Rochester, NY for illegally voting in the November 5th Presidential election. She goes on trial and is fined $100. She never pays the fine. -
Black Disenfranchisement
Beginning in 1890, 10 of 11 southern states change their constitution in an effort to prevent black from voting. Poll taxes, literacy tests, and grandfather clauses were adopted. -
Wyoming a State
Wyoming becomes the 44th state. Its constitution allows women the right to vote, making it the first state to allow women's suffrage. This image shows years in which other states allowed women's suffrage. -
New Zealand Allows Women's Vote
New Zealand becomes the first country to allow all adult women to vote. -
Effect of Jim Crow
Jim Crow laws such as poll taxes and literacy tests have a great effect on the number of black citizens registered to vote in Louisiana. By 1900 only about 5,000 are left. This is down from over 130,000 in 1896. -
17th Amendment Adopted
After 3/4 of the states ratified the 17th amendment it becomes law. Senators are now elected by direct vote by the people. Prior to this, they had been chosen by state representatives. -
19th Amendment Ratified
Tennessee becomes the 36th state to ratify the 19th Amendment. The amendment becomes law and allows women the right to vote. This map shows women's voting rights prior to ratification. -
Indian Citizenship Act
President Calvin Coolidge signs the Indian Citizenship Act, allowing Native Americans to become citizens. Despite this, Native Americans are still refused the vote in many places. -
Georgia Abolishes Poll Tax
Part of the state constitution since 1877, Georgia abolishes its poll tax. -
New Mexico rules in favor of Native Americans
Native American Miguel Trujillo, Sr. is denied the his attempt to register to vote. The courts in New Mexico rule in favor of Trujillo, making New Mexico one of the final states to allow Native Americans the vote. -
23rd Amendment
Citizens in Washington D.C. allowed to vote for electors of President and Vice-President with the passage of the 23rd amendment. -
24th Amendment Passes
The 24th Amendment bans poll taxes in federal elections. -
Voting Rights Act
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 eliminates practices intended to prevent black citizens from voting. Signed by President Lyndon Johnson it specifically takes aim at literacy tests. -
State Poll Taxes Abolished
Chief Justice Earl Warren and five other justices rule that poll taxes in state elections are unconstitutional in Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections. -
26th Amendment Lowers Voting Age
In response to the Vietnam War, the 26th amendment lowers the voting age to 18. -
Voter ID Laws
Alabama institutes a voter identification law. Voters are required to present valid identification to vote. -
Current ID Laws
33 States currently have Voter ID laws.
