Omar Bennett
The Fifteenth Amendment to the US Constitution, ratified on February 3, 1870, was the first constitutional amendment that gave US citizens the right to vote. The amendment prohibits the federal government and each state from denying or abridging a citizen's right to vote on account of race, colour, or previous condition of servitude. This amendment was followed by the Nineteenth Amendment (1920), which prohibited the states from denying women the right to vote; the Twenty-fourth Amendment (1964), which prohibited poll taxes in federal elections; and the Twenty-sixth Amendment (1971), which lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| 15th Amendment | Gave African American men the right to vote in 1870 |
| 19th Amendment | Gave women the right to vote in 1920 |
| 24th Amendment | Eliminated poll taxes in 1964 |
| 26th Amendment | Lowered the voting age to 18 in 1971 |
| Voting Rights Act of 1965 | Banned voter discrimination based on race, colour, or membership in a language minority group |
| Civil Rights Act of 1870 | Provided early federal protections against discrimination in voting |
| Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984 | Required polling places to be accessible to people with disabilities |
| Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) | Improved access to voting for military voters and voters living outside the US |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The 15th Amendment (1870) gave all male citizens the right to vote
The Fifteenth Amendment to the US Constitution, also known as the "Right to Vote" amendment, was ratified on February 3, 1870. This amendment granted all male citizens of the United States the right to vote, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or previous status as slaves. The official text of the amendment states:
> "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation."
Prior to the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment, voter eligibility requirements often restricted voting rights to white males who owned property above a certain value. While there were some exceptions, with a handful of states and cities allowing free African Americans and women to vote, these were relatively rare. The Fifteenth Amendment was a significant step towards racial equality in the United States, as it prohibited the denial or abridgement of the right to vote on the basis of race or colour.
The Fifteenth Amendment was the last of the Reconstruction Amendments passed after the Civil War. The Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments had already granted freedom and citizenship to African Americans, and the Fifteenth Amendment further solidified their rights by guaranteeing their voting rights. Despite the passage of this amendment, many African Americans, particularly in the Southern states, still faced significant barriers to exercising their right to vote due to discriminatory practices and laws such as poll taxes, literacy tests, and the activities of the Ku Klux Klan.
It is worth noting that the struggle for full participation in American public and civic life by African Americans continued for over a century after the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment. It wasn't until 1965, with the Voting Rights Act, that all forms of discrimination in federal, state, and local elections were eliminated.
Constitution's Thirteenth Amendment: Abolishing Slavery in America
You may want to see also
The 19th Amendment (1920) gave women the right to vote
The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1920, gave women the right to vote. The text of the amendment reads: "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." This amendment was the culmination of a long and arduous campaign by women's suffrage supporters, dating back to the mid-19th century. Women organised, petitioned, lectured, wrote, marched, lobbied, and practised civil disobedience to achieve what many considered a radical change to the Constitution.
The campaign for women's suffrage faced fierce resistance, with opponents heckling, jailing, and even physically abusing supporters. Strategies for achieving the goal of women's suffrage varied. Some pursued a strategy of passing suffrage acts in individual states, while others challenged male-only voting laws in court. It is worth noting that the campaign for women's suffrage was not solely a white women's movement, as Black women also played a significant role from its earliest years.
By 1912, nine western states had adopted women's suffrage legislation, and in 1916, almost all major suffrage organisations united behind the goal of a constitutional amendment. On June 4, 1919, Congress approved the 19th Amendment, and it was ratified on August 18, 1920, when Tennessee became the 36th state to do so. This amendment changed the face of the American electorate by prohibiting the denial of the right to vote based on sex.
However, it is important to acknowledge that the 19th Amendment did not ensure full enfranchisement for all women. While it legally guaranteed the right to vote for American women, in practice, it primarily benefited white women. Black women, Indigenous women, Asian American women, and women from other racial and ethnic minority groups continued to face discrimination and voter suppression for several decades. It wasn't until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 that discrimination in voting rights based on race, ethnicity, or disability status was officially prohibited.
Amending the Constitution: When and How?
You may want to see also
The 24th Amendment (1964) removed poll taxes
The 24th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1964, eliminated the use of poll taxes as a prerequisite for voting in federal elections. The amendment was proposed by Congress to the states on August 27, 1962, and ratified on January 23, 1964. This amendment was a significant step towards ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their economic status, had the right to vote.
The history of poll taxes in the US is rooted in discrimination and the suppression of Black American votes. Southern states, particularly those of the former Confederate States of America, adopted poll taxes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This move was intended to exclude Black Americans from the political process without explicitly violating the Fifteenth Amendment, which prohibited restricting the right to vote based on "race, colour, or previous condition of servitude". While the poll tax affected all voters, in practice, it disproportionately impacted African Americans and poor whites, effectively disenfranchising them.
The use of poll taxes was not a new concept, as governments had used them for centuries to generate revenue. In Colonial America, the right to vote was initially restricted to property owners. However, over time, this transitioned to poll taxes. While some states removed these taxes and expanded voting rights to include all male citizens, regardless of race, others reinstated poll taxes and literacy tests to specifically target African Americans.
The 24th Amendment was a direct response to these discriminatory practices and a crucial step towards protecting the voting rights of all US citizens. It prohibited both Congress and the states from requiring the payment of a poll tax or any other tax as a condition for voting in federal elections. This amendment ensured that economic status would no longer be a barrier to political participation and empowered citizens by guaranteeing their right to have a voice in electing their representatives.
The ratification of the 24th Amendment in 1964 marked a significant shift in the landscape of voting rights in America. It demonstrated a commitment to addressing the long-standing issue of voting discrimination and ensuring that economic status would no longer be a barrier to political participation. This amendment, along with others like it, has helped to shape a more inclusive and representative democracy in the United States.
California's Constitution: Amendments and Their Timeline
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The 26th Amendment (1971) lowered the voting age to 18
The 26th Amendment, ratified in 1971, lowered the voting age for all elections to 18. The amendment was passed by Congress on March 23, 1971, and went into effect on July 1, 1971, after being ratified by three-quarters of state legislatures (38 states). The 26th Amendment changed a portion of the 14th Amendment, which previously set the voting age at 21.
The movement to lower the voting age gained grassroots traction when President Dwight D. Eisenhower expressed his support in his 1954 State of the Union address. He stated that citizens between the ages of 18 and 21 were being summoned to fight for America and should, therefore, be able to participate in the political process. However, it wasn't until the mid-1960s, when the American public became disillusioned by the Vietnam War, that the movement gained widespread support. Protests and lobbying efforts, led by activists from the National Education Association and their allies, played a significant role in advocating for this change.
The 26th Amendment states: "The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of age." This amendment ensured that young Americans aged 18 and above had the right to vote in all elections, guaranteeing their ability to participate in the democratic process and have their voices heard.
The impact of the 26th Amendment can be seen in the increased youth voter turnout in recent elections. In the 2018 midterm elections, youth voter participation reached its highest level since the amendment's ratification. This trend continued in 2020, with youth voter turnout achieving one of the highest rates in decades. The passage of the amendment empowered young people to become more engaged in the political process and advocate for issues that disproportionately impact them.
Texas Constitution: First Amendment Date
You may want to see also
The Voting Rights Act (1965) enforced the above amendments
The Fifteenth Amendment to the US Constitution, ratified in 1870, removed racial barriers to voting. However, states continued to discriminate against African Americans, denying them the chance to participate in elections. This continued into the 20th century, with African Americans facing obstacles such as poll taxes, literacy tests, bureaucratic restrictions, harassment, intimidation, and even violence.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was enacted to enforce the Fifteenth Amendment and prohibit voter discrimination based on race, colour, or membership in a language minority group. It was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson, who aimed to ensure that no government could impede citizens from voting due to their race or ethnicity. The Act required certain jurisdictions to obtain approval or "preclearance" before making changes to voting practices, and it placed limits on states with a history of voter discrimination.
The Act also addressed literacy tests, banning them as a prerequisite to voting. Literacy tests had been used as a tool to disenfranchise African Americans and restrict their voting rights. By outlawing these discriminatory practices, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 ensured that Black and brown communities could participate in the political system on an equal basis.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a significant turning point, ensuring that the right to vote was protected for all citizens, regardless of race or ethnicity. It was a powerful tool in the civil rights movement, addressing the political hold of Jim Crow policies and related discriminatory structures. The Act demonstrated a commitment to upholding the principles of equality and democracy in the United States.
The impact of the Voting Rights Act was immediate and substantial. By the end of 1965, a quarter of a million new Black voters had registered, and by the end of 1966, only four out of 13 southern states had fewer than 50% of African Americans registered to vote. The Act was strengthened in subsequent years, with Congress extending its provisions in 1970, 1975, 1982, and 2007, reflecting the ongoing need to safeguard voting rights.
Amendments: Understanding the Activation Timeline
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The 15th Amendment to the US Constitution, ratified in 1870, prohibits the federal government and each state from denying or abridging a citizen's right to vote based on race, colour, or previous condition of servitude.
The 15th Amendment granted all male citizens the right to vote, regardless of their race or previous slave status.
The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, prohibited states from denying women the right to vote.
The 24th Amendment, ratified in 1964, removed barriers to voting by prohibiting poll taxes in federal elections.
The 26th Amendment, ratified in 1971, lowered the voting age to 18 for all elections.
