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The Partnership for Public Service encourages every eligible voter to mail in, early vote or head to the polls tomorrow. The right to vote has been a long, hard-fought battle since our country’s founding. Follow this thread for a history of voting rights in the United States.
In 1776, voting was controlled by state legislatures. Only white men who owned land and were 21 years or older were eligible to vote.
The 14th Amendment granted voting rights to all white men born or naturalized in the United States in 1868, just years after the Civil War.
In 1870, the 15th Amendment eliminated racial barriers for men to vote. Many states continued practicing voter discrimination through poll taxes, literacy tests and intimidation. Native Americans were still denied voting rights.
By 1920, the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified. Women across the nation were granted the right to vote.
The Indian Citizenship Act granted Native Americans voting rights in 1924. Over 125,000 Native Americans acquired the right to vote—marking a great milestone in Native American rights.
The federal Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964, ensuring all men and women in the United States age 21 and older were guaranteed the right to vote, regardless of race, religion or education. Poll taxes were officially eliminated nationwide.
In 1965, registration and voting rights would now be federally enforced under the historic Voting Rights Act amidst the Civil Rights Movement. Literacy tests were formally suspended, opening up the ballot box to many more Americans.
The 26th Amendment to the US Constitution changed the eligible voting age to 18 or older in 1971.
In 1975, the federal Voting Rights Act was renewed, finally banning literacy tests nationwide. Section 203 was added, requiring translated voting materials for some communities across the country.
The federal Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984 required all polling places to be accessible to voters with disabilities.
In 2008, the Supreme Court ruled that voters could choose any candidate on their ballot, regardless of party preference.
Today, early voting has already hit an all-time high. Go out and vote so that you can be a part of this historic election. Check your voter registration status now: http://vote.gov
