Voting Rights Expansion

Definition

This refers to the process and series of legislative actions that have been taken over time to extend the right to vote, or suffrage, to different groups in society.

Analogy

Think of voting rights expansion like a party invitation list. Initially, only a select few (white male property owners) were invited (could vote). Over time, the host realized more people should be included in the fun (participation in democracy), so they expanded their guest list to include women, racial minorities, and young adults aged 18-21.

Related terms

15th Amendment: An amendment ratified in 1870 that prohibited denying a citizen's right to vote based on race, color or previous condition of servitude.

19th Amendment: Ratified in 1920, this amendment granted women the right to vote.

26th Amendment: This amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 years old. It was ratified in 1971 during the Vietnam War era when it was argued that those old enough to fight for their country should be able to vote.