Timeline by Jacob Hartzell _ Student - WakeIBTechEC

American voting requirements after ratification of the U.S. Constitution (1789)

jdhartzell — 2025-04-15 15:39:43 UTC

There was not an express protection of the right to vote, and was up to the states. Most of which gave only white males who owned land the right to vote, also some states had religious tests to ensure only Christian men could vote. After the ratification, states slowly started expanding rights to non-landowning white males.

Changes in State Constitutions during the era of Jacksonian Democracy

amfrieders — 2025-04-15 15:46:26 UTC

1820's

In the time leading up to Andrew Jackson's presidency, voting was reserved for rich white property slave owners. But this went against american values, so changes were made so that all white men, regardless of land ownership and wealth could vote.

15 Amendment: Grant men of all races the right to vote

rdtrinh3_ — 2025-04-15 15:49:31 UTC

The 15th amendment, passed on February 26, 1869 by congress and ratified by the states on February 3, 1870.

The group that primarily was affected by the amendment were women. This banned all restrictions the right to vote regarding ethnicity or prior slave status, and was passed to legally enforce civil rights.

17th Amendment

jdhartzell — 2025-04-15 15:50:01 UTC

The 17th Amendment established the direct election of US senators in each state. This allowed for the people of the US to have direct representation through the senator for their state instead of the states. Allowing more people to have access to the politics and ideas our nation strives for.

19th Amendment - Gives women the right to vote - 1920

amfrieders — 2025-04-15 15:50:15 UTC

Before 1920, many states in the east coast used their reserved powers to control which sexes could vote, and some decided to not allow women to vote. This was changed with the 19th amendment, which made it afederal law.

Indian Citizenship Act of 1924

jdhartzell — 2025-04-15 15:54:08 UTC

Prior to this act, Indians were specifically denied citizenship. Even after the 14th and 15th amendments they were still denied citizenship and the right to vote. Even after World Wars, which they found for the US in after coming home they were still denied.

24th Amendment - Abolish Poll Taxes - 1964

amfrieders — 2025-04-15 15:56:14 UTC

One of the ways that states could remove voters they didn't want to vote was poll taxes. This allowed only rich people to vote, and not get an even skew of the peoples opinions. This amendment fixed that.

23rd Amendment: Gave Washing D.C. residents the right to vote in presidential elections

rdtrinh3_ — 2025-04-15 15:58:23 UTC

Congress proposed the amendment on Jun 16, 1960

The states ratified on March 29, 1961.

The amendment gives the District of Columbia electors equal to the number of senators and representatives it would have if it were a state. Vote in the Electoral College for president and Vice President, in addition to the lectors form the states.

It was passed to address the disenfranchisement of District residents who had been unable to vote in presidential.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

jdhartzell — 2025-04-15 15:58:56 UTC

The voting rights act of 1965 is a landmark of federal legislation which prohibits the racial discrimination in voting. This was after the entire civil rights movement pushing for equal rights. This law was signed into law by LBJ. This greatly increased the number of black voters.

26th Amendment - Lowered voting age from 21 to 18 - 1971

amfrieders — 2025-04-15 16:00:06 UTC

People complained that they could be drafted to go to war, but could not vote for their representatives. This made people angry, so they lowered the minimum age from 21 to 18.

28th Amendment - Know People Amendment

rdtrinh3_ — 2025-04-15 16:05:21 UTC

This amendment will test on peoples' knowledge of candidates in order to vote

This action will be passed on 4/15/25 and this amendment will ensure the people know the background of running candidates in order to make educated decisions and prevent ignorant votes.