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Stage 1
1750's -
Property Qualifications
Only white male adult property-owners have the right to vote. -
Religous Prerequisite
Last religious prerequisite for voting is eliminated. -
Property Ownership
Property ownership and tax requirements eliminated by 1850. Almost all adult white males could vote. -
Stage 2
1850's -
Propert Qualifications - Eliminated
Property qualifications for voting were eliminated giving all white men the oppurtunity to vote. -
Congress Passes the 15th Amendment
Allows all African American men the equal right to vote. Although they were given poll taxes and literacy tests to try and keep them from voting. -
15th Amendment
The 15th Amendment is passed. It gives former slaves the right to vote and protects the voting rights of adult male citizens of any race. -
Stage 3
1900's -
17th Amendment
The 17th Amendment calls for members of the U.S. Senate to be elected directly by the people instead of State Legislatures. -
Outlaw Literacy Tests
Oklahoma was the last state to append a grandfather clause to its literacy requirement (1910). In Guinn v. United States the Supreme Court rules that the clause is in conflict with the 15th Amendment, thereby outlawing literacy tests for federal elections. -
19th Amendment
Granted all women the right to vote. (Susan B. Anthony at the Seneca Falls Women's rights convention) -
Stage 4
1950's -
White Primaries
The Supreme Court outlaws "white primaries" in Smith v. Allwright. In Texas, and other states, primaries were conducted by private associations, which, by definion, could exclude whomever they chose. The Court declares the nomination process to be a public process bound by the terms of 15th Amendment. -
24th Amendment
Poll Taxes are outlawed. -
Court
The Court upholds the Voting Rights Act in South Carolina v. Katzenbach -
Stage 5
1970's -
26th Amendment
Makes the voting age 18 years old. Old enough to die for your country = old enough to vote. -
Voter Registration
The Federal "Motor Voter Law" takes effect, making it easier to register to vote. -
Streamline
Federal Voting Standards and Procedures Act requires states to streamline registration, voting, and other election procedures.
