Voting Rights

Rise of Democratic Politics

1830

*1829-1837 (Jackson's Presidency)
* the right to vote was expanded to all white males
* Here, property owning qualifications were eliminated, protecting the right to vote for all white males. After the panic of 1819, very few men owned property, resulting in little votes. This act eliminated property, taxpaying, and militia qualifications for white men.

15th Amendment

1870

• 1850s-1870
• Right to vote was expanded to black males
• The 15th amendment says that no person should be denied the right to vote based on race/servitude. (not applying to women). The 15th amendment was the entry into the Reconstruction era, to give black males the right to vote. However, restrictions and barriers were still put into place to make it difficult for blacks to vote (literacy tests, grandfather clause, etc.) So it didn't really end up protecting much.

19th Amendment

1919

• 1800s- 1920s
• Gave women the right to vote
• 19th amendment says that no person's right to vote can be taken /given based on sex. It was meant to protect voting rights of women. It took years of protest to get passed, and it still didn't fully guarantee voting rights to minority women

Indian Citizenship Act of 1924

Jun 2, 1924

• 1920s
• Right to vote was expanded to Native Americans
• this act was meant to give Native Americans born in the US the right to vote, but it was governed by state law. Some states didn't allow Native Americans to vote until 1957. Before this, Native Americans citizenship depended on descent/gender/marital status and tribal status. Now, if you were born in the US, you could vote

McCarren Walter Act of 1952

1952

• 1950s
• This piece of legislation expanded suffrage to Asian Americans
• This law repealed existing laws that restricted Asian immigration, also repealing laws preventing them from becoming citizens. As American citizens, they now have the right to vote.

23rd Amendment

Mar 29, 1961

• 1960's
• The right to vote was expanded to those in DC
• Before this amendment, there were no electors in DC because the founding fathers were worried about "political influence" of those in/near DC. Because of this act, residents of DC now were able to vote.

24th Amendment

1964

• 1960's
• The right to vote was expanded further to everyone (mainly blacks) because it eliminated any/all poll taxes
• The 15th amendment was passed to give black men the right to vote, but restrictions were put in place, such as poll taxes and literacy tests, to make it more difficult for blacks to vote. The 24th amendment eliminates one of those barriers, the poll taxes. Making it less of a "privilege" and more a right for blacks to vote.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

1965

• Civil rights movement
• This act further expanded suffrage to black americans
• The Voting Rights Act prohibits any racial discrimination in the voting process whatsoever. This eliminated literacy tests and other tactics used in the South to make it difficult for blacks to vote.Their right to vote was taken more seriously hereafter

26th Amendment

1971

• 1970s
• This amendment extended suffrage to 18 year olds and above
• Because so many men were being drafted for the Vietnam War that were 18-21, it made sense that they should have a voice to vote in their government. This way, people couldn't just be drafted to serve in the military with no say/voice in the government. (chance to vote against the draft)

VRA Reauthorization of 1975

1975

• 1970s
• This act reextended laws against voting discrimination of language minority groups
• After the Voting Rights Act, this expanded the coverage formula's power. It required the VRA to protect minorities that do not speak English. This way, US citizens that didn't speak English could still vote

Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act

1984

• 1980s
• This act expanded suffrage to the disabled and elderly. It specifically required the polling places/registration to be handicap/disabled friendly.
• Being physically accessible to those that might need a little extra help/devices is protecting their right to vote because those things wouldn't stop them from voting. State election officials must make sure that they have the needed telecommunications and devices to aid them in voting.