Summary
The struggle for voting rights began with the Revolutionary War and American independence from Great Britain. The first United States voters were adult, white, male, property-owning citizens. After the Civil War, black men were added to the electorate, and by 1971—more than 100 years later—women, American Indians, and young people ages 18 to 20 were granted the right to vote. In this process, the U.S. Constitution was amended eight times, and blood was shed on Civil War battlegrounds and across the South in a long struggle for civil rights.
Topics include:
- Struggles faced by blacks, women, and American Indians to secure the right to vote
- Laws governing state, local, and especially national elections
- The recent movement to register young voters for the 2004 presidential election
- Issues surrounding various voting technology—such as chads and electronic ballots—and potential changes
- and more.