Ensuring fair and equal voting rights is a continuous process.
Since 1791, when the Bill of Rights was adopted, five additional amendments to the US Constitution have addressed the fundamental democratic act of casting a ballot. The 15th Amendment upheld the right to vote for African American men. The 19th Amendment upheld that right for women. The 23rd, 24th, and 26th amendments recognized voters in the District of Columbia, banned poll taxes, and lowered the voting age to 18.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibited racial discrimination at the polls. While it is recognized as a major step toward equity, this landmark legislation has been challenged and weakened in recent years. Many Americans still face barriers at the voting booth.
Voting is an essential part of our democracy. The fight to expand access to the vote is ongoing. We can all contribute.
Each generation stands on the shoulders of those who went before. Seek inspiration and hope from the stories of the women featured in this website. Then ask yourself this crucial question: What actions can I take to shape our democracy?
