History of Voting in America

Voting is controlled The 15th Amendment

1776

1870
by individual state to the U.S. Constitution
legislatures. Only white eliminates racial barriers
men age 21 and older to voting; however,
who own land can vote. many states continue
practicing voter
discrimination. Poll taxes,
literacy tests, fraud, and
intimidation still prevent
many from voting. Native
Americans are still
denied the right to vote.
The 19th The Indian

1924
1920
Amendment Citizenship Act
to the U.S. grants Native
Constitution is Americans
ratified, giving citizenship and
women the voting rights.
right to vote
nationwide.

The 14th Amendment Washington State

1868

1923
to the U.S. Constitution voters pass Initiative 40,
grants full citizenship rights, repealing the poll tax.
including voting rights, to all Poll taxes are used in
men born or naturalized in many states as a way
the United States. to discriminate against
certain voters.

Washington voters amend

1912

the State Constitution, giving

citizens the power to propose
initiatives and referenda; the
first statewide initiative in 1914
bans alcohol sales.

Washington voters amend

1910

the State Constitution,

allowing women to vote
and run for office.

8 Teaching Elections in Washington State

1964 The federal Civil Rights Act
is 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 U.S. Constitution is
ratified, eliminating poll taxes
nationwide.

The federal Voting Rights The U.S. Supreme Court decides the Presidential
1965

Act suspends literacy tests.
Registration and voting rights
are now federally enforced.
2000 Election after dubious ballot counting practices call into
question Florida’s electoral votes. The incident sparks
national outcry and a wave of election reforms.
The U.S. Census reveals that Washington’s non-English
speaking population has grown large enough that some
counties must translate voting materials in compliance
with the 1975 Voting Rights Act.

The 26th The federal Voting About 4 million

1971

1984

Today
Amendment to the Accessibility for people are
U.S. Constitution the Elderly and registered to vote
lowers the voting Handicapped Act in Washington,
age to 18. requires polling places roughly 68 percent
to be accessible to of those eligible.
people with disabilities.

Washington becomes the

2009

second state in the U.S.

(after Oregon) to vote
entirely by mail rather
The federal Voting
1975

than in person at the polls.

Rights Act is renewed,
permanently banning
literacy tests nationwide. After a lengthy U.S. Supreme
2008

Section 203 is added, Court battle, Washington

requiring translated voting enacts the “Top 2 Primary”
materials in areas with that allows voters to choose
large numbers of citizens any candidate regardless of
with limited English skills. party preference.

Office of the Secretary of State 9