A Complete History of Americans Right to Vote Part Two
By Elizabeth A. Hays
This is a continuation article of A Complete History of America’s Voting Rights.
To learn about voting rights up to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, visit Part 1.
A History of America's Voting Rights: Before the Civil Rights Act
To learn about voting rights up to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, visit Part 1.
A History of America's Voting Rights: Before the Civil Rights Act
1964 - Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed discrimination practices based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This started the fight to provide constitutional protections for all American citizens.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed discrimination practices based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This started the fight to provide constitutional protections for all American citizens.
1965 - Voting Rights Act
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act immediately following the previous one to further promote equality for everyone. One of the most difficult challenges during the Civil Rights Movement was motivating Blacks to vote despite literacy tests, poll taxes, and other unethical barriers. The Voting Rights Act reinforced the 15th Amendment, making voting laws based on race or ethnicity illegal.
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act immediately following the previous one to further promote equality for everyone. One of the most difficult challenges during the Civil Rights Movement was motivating Blacks to vote despite literacy tests, poll taxes, and other unethical barriers. The Voting Rights Act reinforced the 15th Amendment, making voting laws based on race or ethnicity illegal.
1965-1967 - Amendment XXV
Following President John F. Kennedy's assassination and the complications that ensued, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson assumed the role shortly after Congress passed the 25th Amendment on July 6, 1965, and ratified it on February 10, 1967. It stated that the Vice President would assume the position if the President could not serve. If neither can act as president, the speaker of the House will acquire the role.
Following President John F. Kennedy's assassination and the complications that ensued, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson assumed the role shortly after Congress passed the 25th Amendment on July 6, 1965, and ratified it on February 10, 1967. It stated that the Vice President would assume the position if the President could not serve. If neither can act as president, the speaker of the House will acquire the role.
1971 - Reed v. Reed
Sally Reed sued her ex-husband Cecil over who managed their deceased son’s estate. While fighting the courts, she stated that the Idaho probate code indicated a preference for men over women and that it infringed on her 14th Amendment rights. At this point, it was not entirely assumed that the 14th Amendment’s protection clause included women. The Supreme Court’s ruling in Reed v. Reed explicitly expressed women’s 14th Amendment rights.
Sally Reed sued her ex-husband Cecil over who managed their deceased son’s estate. While fighting the courts, she stated that the Idaho probate code indicated a preference for men over women and that it infringed on her 14th Amendment rights. At this point, it was not entirely assumed that the 14th Amendment’s protection clause included women. The Supreme Court’s ruling in Reed v. Reed explicitly expressed women’s 14th Amendment rights.
1971 - Amendment XXVI
At the same time as the Civil Rights Movement, thousands of young men were drafted to fight in the Vietnam War. Many argued that if they were old enough to serve their country in war, they should be able to vote as well. Congress passed the 26th Amendment on March 23, 1971, and ratified it by July 1st of the same year. It lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, allowing the youngest soldiers fighting in Vietnam to vote in the upcoming election.
At the same time as the Civil Rights Movement, thousands of young men were drafted to fight in the Vietnam War. Many argued that if they were old enough to serve their country in war, they should be able to vote as well. Congress passed the 26th Amendment on March 23, 1971, and ratified it by July 1st of the same year. It lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, allowing the youngest soldiers fighting in Vietnam to vote in the upcoming election.
1955-1975 - Vietnam War
United States troops first set foot in Vietnam in 1965 under the command of President Lyndon B. Johnson. After almost a decade of combat, the Vietnam Peace Agreement was signed in 1973, which brought American soldiers home.
United States troops first set foot in Vietnam in 1965 under the command of President Lyndon B. Johnson. After almost a decade of combat, the Vietnam Peace Agreement was signed in 1973, which brought American soldiers home.
1975 - Amendment to the Voting Rights Act
Almost a decade after the Voting Rights Act was passed in 1965, the Supreme Court considered numerous cases where non-White American citizens faced discriminatory voting requirements. By 1975, Congress had made changes to the Voting Rights Act. These changes said that districts had to help people who didn't speak English register and vote.
Almost a decade after the Voting Rights Act was passed in 1965, the Supreme Court considered numerous cases where non-White American citizens faced discriminatory voting requirements. By 1975, Congress had made changes to the Voting Rights Act. These changes said that districts had to help people who didn't speak English register and vote.
1982 - Voting Rights Act, Section 5
President Ronald Reagan signed legislation extending Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act from 5 to 25 years in 1982. Section 5 was designed to ensure that voting changes in covered jurisdictions could not be implemented until a favorable determination had been obtained. The Department of Justice or another appointed federal agency must approve the request before the states can grant it.
President Ronald Reagan signed legislation extending Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act from 5 to 25 years in 1982. Section 5 was designed to ensure that voting changes in covered jurisdictions could not be implemented until a favorable determination had been obtained. The Department of Justice or another appointed federal agency must approve the request before the states can grant it.
1984 - Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act
The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act was passed in 1984. It requires full accessibility to polling venues hosting federal elections and must offer a substitute method if the location is not accessible.
The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act was passed in 1984. It requires full accessibility to polling venues hosting federal elections and must offer a substitute method if the location is not accessible.
1993 - National Voter Registration Act
By 1993, national voting numbers had drastically fallen. Under President Bill Clinton, Congress passed the National Voter Registration Act to inspire new voters and re-inspire those who had already cast ballots. The execution requires states to offer more ways to register voters through motor vehicle agencies, mail-in applications, and local offices. By 1995, over 30 million new or updated voter registrations had been implemented.
By 1993, national voting numbers had drastically fallen. Under President Bill Clinton, Congress passed the National Voter Registration Act to inspire new voters and re-inspire those who had already cast ballots. The execution requires states to offer more ways to register voters through motor vehicle agencies, mail-in applications, and local offices. By 1995, over 30 million new or updated voter registrations had been implemented.
2001-2021 - War in Afghanistan
Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States invaded Afghanistan.
Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States invaded Afghanistan.
2002 - Help America Vote Act
In the wake of the 2001 elections, Congress desired to update federal voting regulations. As a result, the Help America Vote Act was signed in 2002. It created a new national agency for sharing election admission information, gave states additional funding to replace outdated systems, and established minimum voting standards.
In the wake of the 2001 elections, Congress desired to update federal voting regulations. As a result, the Help America Vote Act was signed in 2002. It created a new national agency for sharing election admission information, gave states additional funding to replace outdated systems, and established minimum voting standards.
2003-2011 - Iraq War
From 2003 to 2011, the United States military led an invasion of Iraq to end the dictatorial rule of Saddam Hussein and bring stability to the region.
From 2003 to 2011, the United States military led an invasion of Iraq to end the dictatorial rule of Saddam Hussein and bring stability to the region.
2006 - Reauthorizing Voting Rights Act, Section 5
In 1982, Congress extended protection by changing Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act from 5 to 25 years. That required states to seek federal approval before modifying their voting procedures. Before the temporary legislation expired in 2007, President George W. Bush re-extended the provision for another 25 years, ensuring protection until 2032.
In 1982, Congress extended protection by changing Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act from 5 to 25 years. That required states to seek federal approval before modifying their voting procedures. Before the temporary legislation expired in 2007, President George W. Bush re-extended the provision for another 25 years, ensuring protection until 2032.
2013 - Shelby County v. Holder
In Shelby County v. Holder, the Supreme Court ruled that the formula used to create Section 4(b) of the Voting Rights Act was unconstitutional. This section determines the jurisdictions covered in Section 5. This decision eliminates the requirement for jurisdictions to obtain preclearance.
In Shelby County v. Holder, the Supreme Court ruled that the formula used to create Section 4(b) of the Voting Rights Act was unconstitutional. This section determines the jurisdictions covered in Section 5. This decision eliminates the requirement for jurisdictions to obtain preclearance.
2021 - Freedom to Vote Act
After many voters mailed in their 2020 election ballots, senators sent the Freedom to Vote Act Bill to Congress.It asked for more same-day voter registration, for people convicted of a crime but not serving a sentence to be able to vote, for election security to be updated, and for Election Day to be a federal holiday.
After many voters mailed in their 2020 election ballots, senators sent the Freedom to Vote Act Bill to Congress.It asked for more same-day voter registration, for people convicted of a crime but not serving a sentence to be able to vote, for election security to be updated, and for Election Day to be a federal holiday.
If you want to learn more about the Civil Rights Movement, check out our Voting Rights Race. At your own pace, you will discover the march from Selma to Montgomery and voting rights. There will be historical facts and media content about America’s voting rights history presented along the way. Once finished, you will be awarded a medal for your hard work!
Join the Run On History team today and discover our other races!
Join the Run On History team today and discover our other races!
Disclaimer regarding articles that discuss race/ethnicity:
At Run on History, we strive to promote equality and make sure that all of our articles that cover sensitive topics are covered in the most respectful way possible.
While we aim to treat these topics with utmost mindfulness, we understand that best practices for referring to racial categories are debated. For both clarity and consistency, we have chosen to capitalize terms like “Black” and “White” when used as racial descriptors.
At Run on History, we strive to promote equality and make sure that all of our articles that cover sensitive topics are covered in the most respectful way possible.
While we aim to treat these topics with utmost mindfulness, we understand that best practices for referring to racial categories are debated. For both clarity and consistency, we have chosen to capitalize terms like “Black” and “White” when used as racial descriptors.
Trivia Facts
- Did you know that for decades during the 20th century, corporations fought for voting rights protections as well?
- It was not until after the U.S. drafted 18-year-old boys to fight during the Vietnam War that lawmakers lowered the voting age to 18.
- Still today, in 2022, legislatures are fighting for fair voting rights for American citizens.