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Voting is controlled by individual state legislatures. Only white men age 21 and older who own land can vote.
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The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution grants full citizenship rights, including voting rights, to all men born or naturalized in the United States.
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Nearly one-hundred years later, the 15th amendment is added to the constitution which grants other races to vote. The 15th amendment eliminates racial barriers to the voting process. However, the voting process is still not perfect. Many are still unable to vote due to poll taxes, literacy tests, and fraud. Native Americans are still unable to engage in the voting process at this time.
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Washington voters amend the State Constitution, allowing women to vote and run for office.
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The 19th amendment is ratified, granting women the right to vote nationwide.
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Washington State voters pass Initiative 40, repealing the poll tax. Poll taxes are used in many states as a way to discriminate against voters who are not white.
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The Indian Citizenship Act grants Native Americans the right to vote.
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The federal Civil Rights Act is passed to ensure that all men and women age 21 and older, regardless of race, religion, or education, have the right to vote. The 24th Amendment to
the U.S. Constitution is ratified, eliminating poll taxes nationwide. One year later, in 1965, changes are made to remove literacy tests. -
The 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution lowers the voting age to 18.
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The federal Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act requires polling places to be accessible to people with disabilities.
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The U.S. Supreme Court decides the Presidential Election after faulted ballot counting practices question Florida’s electoral votes. The incident sparks election reforms.
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After a lengthy U.S. Supreme Court battle, Washington enacts the “Top 2 Primary” that allows voters to choose any candidate regardless of party preference.
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In 2008, the first African-American president was elected.
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Washington becomes the second state in the U.S. to vote
entirely by mail rather than in person at the polls. -
In the most recent held presidential election, Donald Trump was elected president.
