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The Constitution and Voting Rights
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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George Washington's Presidency
Who could vote?
- White men who held property (in most states)
- Laws differed from state to state -
Naturalization Act of 1790
This act ensured that free white people not born in the United States could become citizens. -
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John Adams' Presidency
Who could vote?
- white men who owned land
John Adams was very against suffrage for women, men without property, and immigrants. -
John Adams - Alien and Sedition Acts
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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John Quincy Adams' Presidency
Who could vote?
- White men. Property laws were lifted, suffrage was expanded -
Expanding Suffrage with John Quincy Adams
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. -
Suffrage Declining for People of Color
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. -
15th Amendment
The 15th amendment allowed black men to vote. However, there were many systems in place to handicap these voters from voting. -
Wilson and the 17th amendment
People could elect senators from their own states. -
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Woodrow Wilson's Presidency
Who could vote?
- Men and women -
Woodrow Wilson and the 19th Amendment
Wilson passes the 19th Amendment, giving women the right the vote and increasing suffrage. -
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Calvin Coolidge's Presidency
Who could vote?
- Men and women, regardless of race, now including American Indians. -
Calvin Coolidge and the Snyder Act of 1924
Native Americans born in the United States could now legally vote. -
Calvin Coolidge and Women's Suffrage
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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Lyndon B. Johnson's Presidency
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 -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Eliminated literacy tests and poll taxes to allow African Americans to vote with fewer stipulations. -
Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections
Wealth requirements and tax payments for voting in state elections are prohibited by the Supreme Court.
