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The Beginning
This is when the Constitution first went into effect, and with it, the right to vote was given to all white male property owners. -
Religion
The first stage of expanding voting rights began in the 1800s. Religious qualifications that had been insitituted before were starting to disappear. By 1810, there were no more religious tests to be able to vote. Slowly the States got rid of property ownership and tax payment qualifications. By mid-century, almost all adult white males in every State could vote -
The Civil War & the 15th Amendment
The 15th Amendment, which was ratified in 1870, was made to protect any citizen despite race or color from being denied the right to vote. This, however, was easier said than done because African Americans were still kept from voting through other means. -
Women's Suffrage & the !9th Amendment
The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, stated that no one could be denied the right to vote based on their sex. This meant that women finally gained suffrage in all states. Wyoming had given women the right to vote long before this, in 1896. -
The 23rd Amendment
This amendment, rsatified in 1961, stated that voters in the District of Columbia could finally join the voting process. -
The 24th Amendment
The 24th Amendment, ratified in 1964, eliminated any and all polling taxes as part of the conditions to be able to vote. -
The Voting Rights Act of 1965
The passage and vigorous enforcement of several civil rights acts, including this one and its later versions, finally gave African Americans and other races equality in polling booths everywhere. -
The 26th Amendment
The 26th Amendment, ratified in 1971, stated that no State can make the voting age lower than 18 years of age. This meant that if you were 18, you had the right to vote.
