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The Evolution of Voting Rights in America: A Legacy of Social Movements
In America, one of the core tenets of democracy entails right to vote or also known as
franchise. Earlier this right was not granted to all the citizens of the country. Thus, originally,
the voting rights were limited depending on the property ownership, race, gender, and age.
Over the course of many years in America, there were social movements and legislation
changes that extended voting rights which are very important in the country’s history.
The Fifteenth Amendment
The Fifteenth Amendment which became effective in 1870 enlarged the franchise
irrespective of race or color. One of the main avocations supporting this amendment was
based on the idea of reconstruction, meaning that African Americans should be equal
citizens. With the fanatical support of the abolitionists and Radical Republicans, they insisted
that voting was crucial to citizenship. On the other hand, anti-freedom enthusiasts, especially
in the southern states, saw the enfranchisement of former black slaves as a threat to the
established order that might cause political turbulence.
Through passing of legislations, the proponents of the amendment campaigned for
change. They experienced resistance that continued even after its ratification, as the Southern
states tainted the process of African Americans’ enfranchisement with Jim Crow laws and
other barriers. Unfortunately, while the Fifteenth Amendment was intended to ensure Voting
Rights for Black persons, many African Americans lost their voting rights for several decades
because of prejudices like the literacy tests and the poll taxes.
The Nineteenth Amendment
The Nineteenth Amendment which was passed in the year 1920, gave women the
right to vote in the United States. Those in favor of women’s voting rights insisted on giving
women the right to vote as enshrined in the notions of justice and equity and refuted
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traditional male chauvinism as well as undermined women’s place in the society. Critics
argued that enfranchisement of women would destabilise the base of the society as well as the
family unit.
Suffragists mobilized themselves in a continuous manner through demonstrations
such as marches, demonstrations as well as court cases. This campaign escalated especially
after WWI because women were contributing to society though their voting rights were not
recognized. It took activists many years to push for the ratification of this amendment and it
was a major step towards the recognition of women’s rights in American politics.
Nevertheless, it did not ensure the similar share of women in political decision-making, so it
was clear that there were certain difficulties in attaining genuine gender parity in electoral
politics.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a legislation to fight discrimination in the
southern states in as far as voting is concerned. Another claim was that it was only possible to
safeguard the voting rights of the African Americans at the federal level since they were
endangered by tests, poll taxes, and force.
Therefore, civil rights activists like Martin Luther King Jr, SNCC, and SCLC engaged
in non violent protest and march with an aim of sensitizing the entire country on the matter of
voter suppression. Most Southern segregationist and politicians who were against federal
intervention in the state’s voting procedures also opposed the VRA; this contributed to
extended struggles in the legislature. However, the VRA was enacted, and black voter
registration and political activities increased significantly.
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However, challenges persisted after VRA as subsequent Supreme Court and new legislation
amendments diluted principal safeguards that envisioned post-VRA debates on the necessity
of federal voting rights.
Conclusion
What makes it rather encouraging is the fact that through the help of social
movements, voting rights have been expanded in the United States. All the signposts – the
Fifteenth, the Nineteenth Amendments, as well as the Voting Rights Act, – is the consistent
struggle for the principles of democracy, including equality, and freedom of vote. But while
these legislative gains portrayed progress, they also exposed the challenges and continued
hurdles that hindered the fight for citizenship for all citizens of the United States. According
to analyzing the history through these lenses, the voting right still remains the part of
American democracy story and, therefore, the right to vote is the gift and the duty that is
supposed to be defended and expanded for the future generations.
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References
Crum, T. (2021). The Lawfulness of the Fifteenth Amendment. Notre Dame Law Review, 97,
1543.
https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals/tndl97&div=42&id=
&page=
Eubank, N., & Fresh, A. (2022). Enfranchisement and Incarceration after the 1965 Voting
Rights Act. American Political Science Review, 116(3), 1–16.
https://doi.org/10.1017/s0003055421001337
Monopoli, P. A. (2020). Women, Democracy, and the Nineteenth Amendment. Boston
University Law Review, 100, 1727. https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?
handle=hein.journals/bulr100&div=52&id=&page=
