Constitution Week Spotlight

Sept. 21

On day five of Constitution Week, we focus on suffrage.

Suffrage, or the right to vote, is a cornerstone of American democracy and has evolved significantly since the adoption of the Constitution in 1787. The original Constitution did not explicitly define who could vote, leaving that largely up to the individual states. In practice, this meant that voting was generally limited to white male property owners. Over time, constitutional amendments and legislation have expanded suffrage to include broader segments of the population, reflecting the nation’s ongoing commitment to democratic principles.

The Constitution provides the framework for these expansions through several key amendments. The 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, prohibited the denial of the right to vote based on “race, color or previous condition of servitude,” effectively granting African American men the right to vote. The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, extended suffrage to women nationwide, a milestone achieved after decades of tireless advocacy by the women’s suffrage movement. Later amendments further broadened voting rights: the 24th Amendment (1964) eliminated poll taxes and the 26th Amendment (1971) lowered the voting age to 18.

The expansion of suffrage illustrates the Constitution’s ability to adapt to the evolving understanding of equality and citizenship. It also highlights the interplay between constitutional law and social movements, demonstrating that the protections of the Constitution are not static but can be strengthened through civic engagement, legislative action and public advocacy. Today, the right to vote is considered a fundamental American right, central to the democratic process and the principle of government “of the people, by the people and for the people.”

Today’s quiz

True or false: Native Americans were granted U.S. citizenship and the right to vote when the 19th Amendment was ratified.
Answer: False. Citizenship was granted in 1924 by the Indian Citizenship Act, but voting rights could still be restricted by states until the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Before the 15th and 19th Amendments, which groups were commonly excluded from voting?
a) Women b) African Americans c) Native Americans d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above

This Constitution Week Spotlight was provided by the Lt. George Farragut Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

Info: lgfdar.com