History of Voting in America

 

                                                                Photo Credit Images: Pixabay

1776~Voting was controlled by individual state legislatures. Only white men, age 21 and older who owned land could vote.

1920~The 19th Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified giving women the right to vote nationwide.

 1923~The poll taxes were used in many states as a way to discriminate against certain voters.

1924~The Indian Citizenship Act Grant’s Native Americans Citizenship and voting rights.

1964~The Federal Civil Rights Act was passed to ensure that all men and women age 21 and older regardless of race, religion, or education have the right to vote. The 24th Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified eliminating the poll tax nationwide. 

Today about 4 million people are registered to vote in Washington, roughly 68% of those are eligible to vote. According to an article written in the National Geographic on July 24, 2020, the right to vote and who may exercise it has changed continuously. While states have traditionally determined requirements for voting, the federal government has taken action that has altered those requirements in an attempt to create equality.

 Today in order to vote in a Federal election one must be a US Citizen and be at least 18 years old by the date of the general election and a resident of the state in which on votes. However, these requirements use to be more restrictive. Voting rights in the United States have not always been equally accessible. African Americans and women of all ethnicities have fought especially hard to have their voices heard. Voting is a fundamental process in a democratic system. Or is a chance for the citizens of a country to have a say in the people who represent them or on an issue that impacted them. Participating in an election is nine of the responsibilities of a citizen of the United States of America.

And for African Americans not to vote will be diminishing the rights that our ancestors and forefathers fought and died for, we all stand on their shoulders. In essence, voting should be a priority. Voting is our rights as a citizen and an absolute privilege. Not only are we silencing our voice; our power is silence. It is our power to influence the direction of this country. When we back up and disengage, we allow others to speak for us and represent on our behalf. The times that we are in especially this year of 2020 from the global pandemic to racial and social justice. We must vote. This is our time to vote, Our Voice Matters!!!

                                

Article Credits: Rosetta Cooper 

Excerpt taken  National Geographic