The Expansion of Suffrage American Government 12 th Grade Mrs. Goss

Original Restrictions At the time the Constitution was ratified (1789) there were six restrictions on the right to vote in most states: –Race (You had to be white) –Gender (You had to be male) –Age (You had to be 21+) –Property Owner –Tax Payment –Religious Belief (You had to be Christian)

First Stage During the first stage of expansion ( ), many of the original restrictions were removed In 1810, the last religious test was administered. After this, people of any religion could vote. By 1850, tax payment and property ownership requirements had been dropped After 1850, most white, adult males could vote

Second Stage The second stage lasted only one year – 1870 It focused on the passage of the 15 th Amendment which gave men of any race the right to vote, regardless of previous condition of servitude. This amendment followed on the heels of the 13 th Amendment (which freed the slaves) and the 14 th Amendment (which gave citizenship and due process rights to everyone born in the United States including former slaves). After 1870, all adult men, regardless of race, were allowed to vote in theory –In theory is used because many restrictions were created to prevent black men from utilizing their right to vote. Things such as the grandfather clause, the poll tax and literacy test were put into place and were supported by intimidation by organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan.

Third Stage The third stage actually began in 1869, one year before the second stage. In 1869, the territory of Wyoming gave women the right to vote. In 1920, the 19 th Amendment gave the right to vote to all adults, regardless of gender. After 1920, all adult men and women had the right to vote in theory –Unfortunately racial discrimination still existed at the polls

Fourth Stage The fourth stage runs parallel to the Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s The first piece of legislation, the 23 rd Amendment was passed in 1961 giving the right to vote in federal elections to all residents of Washington, D.C. In 1964, the 24 th Amendment was passed. This eliminated the poll tax. The 1965 Voting Rights Act (VRA) ensured racial equality in the polls by removing literacy tests (among other things) After 1965, all adult men and women could vote in reality!

Fifth Stage The fifth stage also took place in a single year, 1971 The 26 th Amendment passed which lowered the voting age to 18 (from the previous age of 21) This was largely as result of an outcry from the Vietnam War – soldiers were being drafted at 18, but weren’t allowed to vote in most states At the end of this stage, all adults (18+) can vote

Sixth Stage The sixth stage began in the 1990’s and has continued to the present. Many pieces of legislation were passed that created opportunities such as: –The “Motor Voter Law” which allows you to register to vote when you renew or obtain your driver’s license –Mail-in & Online Registration –Extended Voting Hours & Days Essentially this stage made voting more accessible to all citizens