Voting Rights in the United States

  • Constitution is ratified

    All white, land owning males could vote.
  • Religious qualtification dropped

    Last religious prerequisite for voting is eliminated
  • Property requirements dropped

    Tax requirements and property ownership eliminated by 1850. Almost all white males could vote.
  • 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.
  • 19th Amendment

    The 19th amendment guaranteed women's suffrage
  • 23rd Amendment

    The 23rd Amendment allowed the voters of the District of Columbia to participate in presidental elections
  • 24th Amendment

    The 24 Amendment banded the poll tax requirement for voting in federal elections.
  • Voting Rights Act of 1965

    The Voting Rights Act protects the rights of minority voters and eliminates voting barriers such as the literacy test. The Act is expanded and renewed in 1970, 1975, and 1982.
  • 26th Amendment

    The 26th Amendment set the minimum voting age to 18.