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When George Washington began his term as our first president, the Constitution stated that each state could establish its own laws in regards to voting rights.
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Who could vote?
- White men who held property (in most states)
- Laws differed from state to state -
This act ensured that free white people not born in the United States could become citizens.
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Who could vote?
- white men who owned land
John Adams was very against suffrage for women, men without property, and immigrants. -
Alien Act - increased the time it took for an immigrant to be able to vote in the United States from 5 years to 14 years.
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Who could vote?
- White men. Property laws were lifted, suffrage was expanded -
People like Benjamin Franklin had always been against property and economic barriers for voting.
By the 1820s, most of the laws that impeded on people's voting rights because of property holding were abolished.
The Election of 1828 had the largest voter turnout in that time due to these abolished laws. -
Throughout the late 1820s and early 1830s, laws were made in several states preventing people of color from voting. These states include Kentucky and New Jersey.
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The 15th amendment allowed black men to vote. However, there were many systems in place to handicap these voters from voting.
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People could elect senators from their own states.
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Who could vote?
- Men and women -
Wilson passes the 19th Amendment, giving women the right the vote and increasing suffrage.
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Who could vote?
- Men and women, regardless of race, now including American Indians. -
Native Americans born in the United States could now legally vote.
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Coolidge spoke out in favor of women's suffrage, stating that "...women voters have had a very considerable influence on party platforms and governmental policy...", along with other statements portraying women voters in a positive light.
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Who could vote?
- Men and women of color as well as white men and women (it was a lot easier for people of color to vote)
- He signed the Voting Act of 1969 -
Eliminated literacy tests and poll taxes to allow African Americans to vote with fewer stipulations.
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Wealth requirements and tax payments for voting in state elections are prohibited by the Supreme Court.
