How We Got Here: A Brief History of Voting Rights

Abstract

We typically think of the universal right to vote as being at the core of American democracy. Yet it was not enshrined in our country's foundational documents (Pildes & Smith, n.d.). Instead, voting rights have been incrementally won over the course of our history, the result of enormous struggle and sacrifice. This chapter provides a brief overview of the history of voting rights, including trends, controversies, and setbacks.

Race, poverty and unemployment as quantitative predictors of voter turnout in St. Louis amidst COVID-19 and a racial justice movement

“…Lower voter turnout among Black citizens is rooted in the deep history of voter suppression efforts that have served to disenfranchise Black voters (Friedman, 2005; Portillo et al. , 2021; Rome, 2022b). When the United States was founded, white male property owners were the sole constituency allowed to vote.…”

“…According to US Census Bureau data, between 2000 and 2020, Black citizens have voted on average 3.2% points less than White citizens (US Census Bureau, 2021). Lower voter turnout among Black citizens is rooted in the deep history of voter suppression efforts that have served to disenfranchise Black voters (Friedman, 2005;Portillo et al, 2021;Rome, 2022b). When the United States was founded, white male property owners were the sole constituency allowed to vote.…”