Civic Lit Timeline by Madeline Puryear

1869 - 15th Amendment

fskorogy — 2024-04-18 15:56:25 UTC

The 15th Amendment to the United States constitution granted black men the right to vote.

It was the first step towards voting equality the US had seen thus far.

1913 - 17th Amendment

fskorogy — 2024-04-18 15:59:14 UTC

The 17th Amendment to the United States constitution granted voters the right to cast direct votes for US senators, rather than senators being chosen by the state legislature.

It was an important intermediary step in voting equality, ensuring that state senators truly represented the will of the people, rather than the will of their buddies in the House.

1700s First Voting Requirements

mlpuryear1 — 2024-04-18 16:00:12 UTC

17th - 18th Century

The Constitution gave states the right to make whatever requirements they want. Most states only allowed white land-owning men to vote, but some let free black men to vote as well. Women couldn't vote at all, except in New Jersey until 1807.

1919 - 19th Amendment

fskorogy — 2024-04-18 16:00:55 UTC

The 19th Amendment to the United States constitution granted women the right to vote, both white and black.

It was the second step towards voting equality in the US.

1944 - Indian Citizenship Act

mlpuryear1 — 2024-04-18 16:02:57 UTC

All Native Americans were granted citizenship and therefore the right to vote. 2/3rds of Native Americans were already voting though. Some states, North Dakota, still wouldn't let them vote until 1957

1961 - 23rd Amendment

fskorogy — 2024-04-18 16:05:31 UTC

The 23rd Amendment to the United States constitution granted the District of Columbia, or Washington DC, electors in the Electoral College.

It was the third step in US voting equality, allowing citizens inside Washington DC to participate in the presidential election.

1964 - 24th Amendment

mlpuryear1 — 2024-04-18 16:06:00 UTC

The 24th Amendment stops congress and/or states from taxing voting. North Carolina was actually the first state to repeal the taxes. Mississippi was the only state to reject the constitution.

1971 - 26th Amendment

fskorogy — 2024-04-18 16:08:59 UTC

The 26th Amendment to the United States constitution granted all citizens over eighteen years of age the right to vote.

It was instrumental to the effort for voting equality, allowing citizens of all different races, ethnicities, genders, and more to vote in elections.

Our Voting Law

mlpuryear1 — 2024-04-18 16:17:00 UTC

The only requirements to vote are:

U.S. citizenship for at least 1 election

Minimum age is 16

Some form of Photo ID (School ID, Drivers License, etc..)

Proof of Citizenship (Social Security, Passport)