Extending Suffrage: The Five Stages

Struggle to extend voting rights

Mar 1, 1800

Religious qualifiations were rapidly disappearing, states began eliminating property ownership and tax payment qualifications

Wyoming grants women suffrage

Mar 21, 1869

Wyoming gave women the right to vote in 1869

Effort to broaden the electorate

Mar 1, 1870

The 15th Amendment was intended to protect citizens from being denied the right to vote because of color/race

Ratification of the 19th Amendment

Aug 18, 1920

Some states began granting women the right to vote, by 1920 over half the states were allowing women to vote

African Americans gain secured suffrage

Mar 20, 1960

Racial equality among polling booths throughout the country

Passing of the 23rd Amendment

Mar 20, 1961

Added the voters of the District of Columbia to the presidential electorate

Ratification of the 24th Amendment

Jan 24, 1964

The ratification of the 24th Amendment eliminated poll tax along with any other tax. This was a condition for voting in any federal election

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Jun 20, 1965

Secures racial equality thoughout the states

Adoption of the 26th Amendment

Mar 20, 1971

No state can set the minimum age for voting at more that 18 years of age. This Amendment gave the right to vote to those who are 18 and over