13.1 Historical Development of Voting Rights
3 min read•august 9, 2024
Voting rights in America have a complex history of exclusion and gradual expansion. From property requirements to , to Jim Crow laws, various barriers kept many from the ballot box. Women and racial minorities fought long battles for suffrage.
The 19th Amendment granted women voting rights in 1920. The pushed for African American voting equality. The banned discriminatory practices, increasing minority voter participation and representation in government.
Restrictive Voting Practices
Property and Financial Barriers to Voting
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- Property qualifications limited voting rights to landowners or those with substantial property assets
- Excluded large portions of the population, particularly the poor and working class
- Varied by state but typically required owning a certain amount of land or paying a specific amount in taxes
- Poll taxes required voters to pay a fee to cast their ballot
- Disproportionately affected low-income individuals and minorities
- Ranged from 2 annually, equivalent to about 60 in today's currency
- Remained in effect in some states until the ratification of the 24th Amendment in 1964
Educational and Racial Barriers to Voting
- Literacy tests assessed a voter's ability to read and write
- Often administered unfairly, with more difficult tests given to African Americans and immigrants
- Included tasks like reading complex legal documents or interpreting obscure constitutional provisions
- Jim Crow laws enforced racial segregation and discrimination in the Southern United States
- Implemented various voting restrictions targeting African Americans
- Included separate and unequal facilities for voting, intimidation tactics, and violence
- Grandfather clauses exempted individuals from literacy tests if their grandfathers had been eligible to vote before 1867
- Effectively excluded most African Americans whose ancestors were enslaved and unable to vote
- Declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in Guinn v. United States (1915)
Suffrage Movements
Women's Fight for Voting Rights
- Suffrage refers to the right to vote in political elections
- Historically denied to various groups based on gender, race, and socioeconomic status
- Women's suffrage movement advocated for women's right to vote
- Began in the mid-19th century and gained momentum in the early 20th century
- Key figures included , Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Alice Paul
- Utilized tactics such as peaceful protests, lobbying, and civil disobedience (hunger strikes)
- Culminated in the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, granting women the right to vote
Civil Rights Movement and Voting Equality
- Civil Rights Movement fought for equal rights and an end to racial discrimination
- Spanned from the 1950s to the 1960s, led by figures like and John Lewis
- Focused on various issues, including voting rights for African Americans
- Employed strategies such as boycotts, sit-ins, and large-scale marches (March on Washington)
- Voting rights became a central focus of the movement
- Highlighted the systematic disenfranchisement of African American voters
- Organized voter registration drives and challenged discriminatory voting practices
- Led to increased public awareness and pressure for federal action on voting rights
Federal Voting Rights Legislation
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 and Its Impact
- Voting Rights Act of 1965 aimed to enforce the 15th Amendment and eliminate discriminatory voting practices
- Signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 6, 1965
- Prohibited literacy tests and other discriminatory practices
- Established federal oversight of election procedures in states with a history of discrimination
- Key provisions of the Voting Rights Act included:
- Section 2: Prohibited voting practices that discriminate based on race or color
- Section 4: Established a formula to determine which states required federal preclearance
- Section 5: Required certain jurisdictions to obtain federal approval before changing voting procedures
- Impact of the Voting Rights Act:
- Dramatically increased voter registration and turnout among African Americans
- Led to a significant increase in elected African American officials at local, state, and federal levels
- Faced numerous challenges and amendments over the years, including the 2013 Supreme Court decision in
Key Terms to Review (18)
Black Lives Matter: Black Lives Matter is a social movement that advocates for the rights and dignity of Black individuals, highlighting systemic racism and violence against Black communities. This movement arose in response to high-profile incidents of police brutality and racial injustice, demanding accountability and change in policies that disproportionately affect people of color. It connects to historical struggles for civil rights and has spurred discussions on voting rights as a crucial component of social justice.
Bush v. Gore: Bush v. Gore was a landmark Supreme Court case decided in 2000 that effectively resolved the disputed 2000 presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore. This case is significant for its implications on election law and the judicial system, establishing important precedents regarding the rights of voters and the authority of state courts in election matters.
Civil rights movement: The civil rights movement was a social and political struggle during the 1950s and 1960s aimed at ending racial discrimination and securing equal rights for African Americans and other marginalized groups in the United States. It sought to challenge and dismantle systemic racism through various means, including legal action, grassroots activism, and peaceful protests.
Equal protection under the law: Equal protection under the law is a constitutional guarantee that individuals will be treated equally by the government and that no one is discriminated against based on race, gender, or other characteristics. This principle is rooted in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and serves as a foundation for various civil rights movements aimed at ensuring fair access to voting and representation.
Fifteenth Amendment: The Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1870, prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on 'race, color, or previous condition of servitude.' This amendment was a crucial step in the historical struggle for voting rights and set the stage for future legislation aimed at eliminating racial discrimination in voting.
Get-out-the-vote: Get-out-the-vote (GOTV) refers to efforts aimed at encouraging individuals to participate in elections by casting their votes. These initiatives are crucial in mobilizing voters, particularly underrepresented groups, and can significantly influence electoral outcomes. Understanding the historical development of voting rights helps contextualize the importance of these efforts, as they have evolved alongside various legal and social changes that impact voter participation.
League of Women Voters: The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization founded in 1920 that aims to promote informed and active participation in government and influence public policy through education and advocacy. Created shortly after women gained the right to vote in the United States, it has played a vital role in advocating for voting rights and ensuring that voters are informed about issues affecting their communities.
Literacy tests: Literacy tests were assessments used primarily in the United States to determine an individual's reading and writing abilities, often employed as a prerequisite for voting. These tests became particularly notorious in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as they were used to disenfranchise racial minorities and poor individuals, effectively serving as a barrier to voting rights. While framed as a way to ensure an informed electorate, literacy tests were often applied subjectively and unfairly, targeting specific groups to suppress their political power.
Martin Luther King Jr.: Martin Luther King Jr. was a prominent American civil rights leader and advocate for nonviolent protest against racial discrimination and injustice, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s. His work significantly influenced the fight for voting rights, which aimed to eliminate systemic barriers faced by African Americans, and laid the foundation for constitutional amendments that further protected these rights. King's legacy is deeply intertwined with civil rights movements, inspiring generations to pursue social justice and equality through peaceful means.
National Voter Registration Act: The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), enacted in 1993, is a federal law aimed at increasing voter registration, particularly for those who are low-income or from minority backgrounds. It requires states to offer voter registration opportunities when individuals apply for or renew driver's licenses or certain social services. This law is a significant milestone in the historical development of voting rights, as it seeks to remove barriers to voter participation and ensure that all eligible citizens have the opportunity to register and vote.
Nineteenth Amendment: The Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1920, granted women the legal right to vote. This landmark amendment marked a significant achievement in the women's suffrage movement, reflecting the broader historical struggle for equal voting rights and changing societal views on gender equality. Its passage laid the groundwork for future advancements in voting rights and highlighted ongoing issues surrounding access to the ballot box.
One person, one vote: One person, one vote is a principle that asserts each individual's vote should carry equal weight in elections, ensuring fairness and equity in the democratic process. This concept is rooted in the idea that every citizen deserves an equal say in their government, directly influencing the historical evolution of voting rights and leading to significant amendments aimed at protecting this equality in representation.
Poll Taxes: Poll taxes were fees that individuals were required to pay in order to vote, primarily used in the United States from the late 19th century until the mid-20th century. These taxes served as a means to restrict voting rights, disproportionately affecting low-income individuals and African Americans, which highlights the broader historical struggle for voting rights and the various barriers that have been implemented to limit participation in elections.
Shelby County v. Holder: Shelby County v. Holder is a landmark Supreme Court case decided in 2013 that invalidated a key provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which aimed to prevent racial discrimination in voting. This decision effectively struck down the formula used to determine which jurisdictions were required to seek federal approval before making changes to their voting laws, significantly weakening federal oversight and protections against racial discrimination in the electoral process.
Susan B. Anthony: Susan B. Anthony was a prominent American social reformer and women's rights activist who played a key role in the women's suffrage movement in the United States. Her advocacy for women's right to vote and equality under the law helped shape the conversation around voting rights, leading to significant constitutional amendments that transformed American democracy.
Voter turnout: Voter turnout refers to the percentage of eligible voters who participate in an election. It serves as a key indicator of civic engagement and reflects the public's interest in the political process, playing a significant role in the historical development of voting rights.
Voting Rights Act of 1965: The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is landmark legislation aimed at eliminating racial discrimination in voting. This act was a response to widespread disenfranchisement of African American voters, particularly in the Southern states, and it enforced the voting rights guaranteed by the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments. By prohibiting discriminatory practices and requiring federal oversight of voter registration in certain areas, it played a crucial role in advancing civil rights and ensuring that all citizens could participate in the electoral process without facing systemic barriers.
Women’s suffrage movement: The women’s suffrage movement was a social and political campaign aimed at granting women the right to vote and ensuring equal participation in electoral processes. This movement emerged as a response to systemic gender discrimination and laid the groundwork for broader anti-discrimination efforts, influencing various legal frameworks aimed at achieving equal protection under the law. It was a pivotal aspect of voting rights history, shaping contemporary discussions about equity and representation in democracy.