Have you ever stopped to think about how the right to vote came to be? Today, voting is one way we make our voices heard and help shape the future of our communities. But the right to vote has a long history, and it has not always been available to everyone.
How Voting Rights Have Changed
1776: The Beginning of a Nation
When the United States declared independence, the idea of a government shaped by its people was central to the new nation. However, voting rights were mostly limited to white men, often those who owned property. Women, enslaved people, and many others were excluded.
1870: The 15th Amendment
After the Civil War, the 15th Amendment prohibited denying the right to vote because of race, color, or previous enslavement. Despite this protection, many Black Americans, especially in the South, faced poll taxes, literacy tests, intimidation, and other barriers that prevented them from voting.
1920: The 19th Amendment
After decades of organizing and campaigning by women’s suffrage activists, the 19th Amendment prohibited denying the right to vote on the basis of sex. This was a major milestone, but many women of color continued to face racial discrimination and other barriers.
1964: The 24th Amendment
The 24th Amendment prohibited poll taxes in federal elections. These taxes had been used to keep many people, particularly Black Americans in the South, from voting.
1965: The Voting Rights Act
The Voting Rights Act was a landmark federal law designed to overcome racial discrimination in voting. It gave the federal government stronger tools to challenge discriminatory voting practices and protect access to the ballot.
1971: The Voting Age Becomes 18
The 26th Amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. Young adults gained the constitutional right to vote, including in federal, state, and local elections.
2026: Limiting the Voting Rights Act
The US Supreme Court issued in April 2026 its decision in Louisiana v. Callais destroying the Act’s remaining power to protect minority voting rights in redistricting.
Why Voting Still Matters
The history of voting rights reminds us that the opportunity to vote was built through generations of people who spoke up, organized, protested, and worked for change.
Voting is more than checking a box. It is an opportunity to have a say in the decisions that affect our schools, neighborhoods, communities, and country.
And voting is not just about presidential elections. Local elections matter, too. Decisions made by mayors, city councils, school boards, and state representatives can have a direct impact on our daily lives.
Be an Upstander: Take Action!
At the Feeney Legacy Project, we believe in taking action when it matters. Our message is simple: Don’t be a bystander. Be an Upstander. Take Action.
That message applies to voting, too. Learn about the issues, check reliable sources, understand your options, and make a plan to vote if you are eligible. Encourage friends and family to learn about the voting process, too.
Your voice matters. Your actions matter. And your vote is one way to make a difference.
Don’t be a bystander. VOTE.
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