Congressional Digest

Excerpt

The debate over voter eligibility — who has the right to vote, how to maintain access for all eligible voters and how to protect against election fraud — has a long history in the United States. In July 1868, states ratified the 14th Amendment, granting citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including formerly enslaved persons, and ensuring voting rights for any male citizen, age 21 or older. In August 1920, states ratified the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing women the right to vote. The 24th Amendment, eliminating the poll tax that disenfranchised marginalized groups, was ratified …