The Right To Vote!
Original voting requirements of the 13 states:
1789
- 21 years of age
- White
- Property owner
- In some states, Protestant
New Hampshire eliminates the property requirement.
1792
It takes more than 65 years for all states to remove the requirement that a voter own property.
The property requirement is eliminated in all states.
1856
The 14th Amendment passes.
1868
It grants citizenship and the right to vote to former male slaves.
Southern states, however, begin implementing voting taxes and literacy tests to keep African American men from voting. When those tactics don't work, they use intimidation and violence to suppress the black vote.
People of Chinese ancestry are barred from voting.
1882
Congress passes laws barring people of Chinese ancestry from voting.
Native Americans are given the right to vote with restrictions.
1887
The Supreme Court rules Native American men can vote, if they give up their tribal affiliation.
Congress later says they will have to apply for citizenship.
First state gives women the right to vote.
1890
Wyoming becomes the first state with a constitution that gives women the right to vote.
The 19th Amendment passes.
1920
All women are given the right to vote.
The U.S. Supreme Court rules immigrants from Japan can't become citizens and vote.
1922-23
Those from India are similarly barred in 1923.
All Native Americans are given the right to vote.
1947
All Asian Americans are given the right to vote.
1952
Poll taxes are outlawed.
1964
Voting Rights Act passes.
1965
The 1965 Voting Rights Act bars states from imposing restrictions on who could vote.
The 26th Amendment passes.
1971
In the midst of the Vietnam War and the draft, the 26th Amendment lowers the voting age to 18.
Voting is a right often ignored and sometimes trampled
Voting is a right for all American citizens, but is often one of the most ignored rights, and occasionally one of the most trampled rights.
Ten misconceptions about registering to vote, submitting a ballot in Washington
The process of registering to vote and casting a ballot in Washington state has several distinctive features, which can create some confusion after a resident moves to a new address from either within state borders or from another state with different electoral laws. Spokane County Auditor Vicky Dalton, who’s served 20 years in the office and is among the longest-serving elected auditors in the state, provided a list of common misunderstandings in the process, from applying for a ballot through casting it. Misconception No. 1) If I notify one agency of my new address, others will automatically get the memo.
