Expanding the Right to Vote
written by Catherine Schmidt illustrations by Chuck Gonzales
1789 1868 1870 1920 1924
1952 1964
1965 1971 1984
U.S. Constitution The United States of America was formed more than 200 years ago. People were granted the right to vote. They could elect people to lead and make laws for their own country. Men over 21 who owned land enjoyed the right to vote. 1
1789 1868 1870 1920 1924
As time went on, people worked to expand the right to vote. Men, black and white, had been to fight in a war and wanted to elect those who would speak for them. The law of the land, the Constitution, was changed so all men born in the U.S. could vote. Still, many people made black men pay taxes and take reading tests to make it hard to vote. 2
14th & 15th
Amendments
1952 1964
1965 1971 1984
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1789 1868 1870 1920 1924
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1952 1964
1965 1971 1984
19th Amendment For many years, women marched, protested, and demanded the right to vote. The long fight led to the law being changed again. Women would join men in casting votes. 5
1789 1868 1870 1920 1924
Indian Citizenship Act
Native Americans and Asian Americans had homes and worked in America. But by law, they were not citizens of the country. And only citizens could vote. New laws 6
gave both groups rights as citizens.
1952 1964
1965 1971 1984
Immigration Act
Now, more people had a vote and a voice. 7
1789 1868 1870 1920 1924
24th Amendment
People worked hard to change unjust laws. They pointed out that voting tests and taxes kept many black people from casting votes. 8
1952 1964
1965 1971 1984
Voting Rights Act
After years of marches, protests, and fighting, the laws were reformed. People would not have to pass a test or pay a tax to vote. 9
1789 1868 1870 1920 1924
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1952 1964
1965 1971 1984
26th
Amendment In the 1960s, boys under 21 were sent to fight in a war, but they could not vote. People again demanded change. New laws said citizens 18 years and older could vote. They would have a voice in electing people to represent them. 11
1789 1868 1870 1920 1924
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1952 1964
1965 1971 1984
Voting Accessibility for the Elderly & Handicapped Act Then, a law was passed to protect the right to vote for some citizens with disabilities. Buildings where people voted would have ramps so wheelchairs could enter.
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Over the past 200 years, the voice of the people has grown. Thanks to people who toil for justice, more Americans enjoy the right to vote. 14