Here at World of Liberty we are so proud to be Americans! One of the best parts of America is our right to vote. America is unique in that all citizens over the age of 18 are eligible to vote. It wasn’t always like that. Below are some of the major milestones in voters rights. Many, many generations have fought to expand your right to vote!
- 1787-1870 – American citizens were given the right to vote however, many states had limiting requirements for citizens based on age, gender, race, income and property ownership.
- 1870 – 15th Amendment is ratified. All men are given the right to vote regardless of “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”
- 1920 – 19th Amendment ratified. Women win the right to vote.
- 1965 – The Voting Rights Act became effective. It enforced the 15th Amendment and outlawed discriminatory voting practices.
- 1971 – 26th Amendment is passed. “Old enough to fight, old enough to Vote.” The legal voting age goes from 21 to 18.
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