A Captivating Series Of Photos That Will Transform Your Perspective About Voting

Progress toward inclusive voting rights has been slow and often fraught with challenges.

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• April 10, 2024

Voting is more than just a civic duty; it is a fundamental right that has been fought for over centuries. Despite this, many individuals choose not to exercise this right, perhaps unaware of the historical struggles endured to secure it.

From the early days of the nation to the present, the journey towards inclusive voting rights has been arduous and ongoing. Roaring Gold, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about voting rights, recently launched a campaign asking individuals to submit photos holding signs indicating when people of their demographic were granted the right to vote in the United States.

The resulting photoset serves as a stark reminder of the incremental progress made over the years. In the early years of the nation, voting rights were restricted primarily to white men who owned land.

This meant that those who were not wealthy landowners were effectively disenfranchised from the political process. It wasn't until the passage of the 15th Amendment in 1870 that black men were granted the right to vote.

However, systemic barriers such as voting taxes, literacy tests, and violence at the polls prevented many from exercising this right. The fight for women's suffrage is perhaps the most well-known chapter in the struggle for voting rights.

It wasn't until 1920, with the passage of the 19th Amendment, that women were granted the right to vote. However, discriminatory laws persisted, particularly targeting non-white women, who were denied access to the ballot box for decades to come.

The photos submitted to Roaring Gold also shed light on the voting rights of other marginalized groups. Filipinos gained the right to vote in 1946, followed by Chinese immigrants and other Asian Americans in 1952. Native Americans, who had previously been required to renounce their tribal affiliation to vote, were finally granted full voting rights in 1962.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of legislation aimed at combating discriminatory practices at the polls. However, recent Supreme Court decisions have weakened key provisions of the act, leading to concerns about ongoing voter discrimination.

Progress toward inclusive voting rights has been slow and often fraught with challenges. It wasn't until 1975 that voting materials were made available in languages other than English, allowing non-English-speaking citizens to participate in the electoral process.

Similarly, it took until 1993 for voter registration materials to be accessible at government agencies and public assistance organizations, ensuring that all citizens had equal access to the ballot box.

Despite these advances, significant barriers to voting persist. U.S. citizens living in territories such as Guam and Puerto Rico continue to be denied the right to participate fully in the political process, despite being citizens in every other respect.

Roaring Gold asked for photos of people holding signs stating when their demographic gained voting rights in the US.

After gaining independence, only white men who owned land were allowed to vote, excluding those who were not wealthy.

Black men gained the right to vote in 1870 with the 15th amendment, but faced obstacles like voting taxes, literacy tests, and intimidation, limiting their ability to vote.

In 1920, women gained the right to vote, yet discriminatory laws barred non-white women from voting for over 40 years.

In 1924, Native Americans were given voting rights if they gave up their tribal ties. However, it wasn't until 1962 that those who maintained their heritage could vote.

In 1965, the Voting Rights Act was enacted to stop discrimination at the polls, particularly targeting people of color, with a significant impact on women of color.

In 1975, voting materials became available in languages other than English, enabling non-English speakers to vote.

Residents of U.S. territories such as Guam and Puerto Rico are still awaiting their full political rights despite being American citizens in all other aspects.

The history of voting rights in the United States is one of struggle and progress. From the exclusionary practices of the past to ongoing challenges in the present, the fight for inclusive democracy remains as relevant today as ever.

As citizens, it is our responsibility to honor the sacrifices of those who came before us by exercising our right to vote and advocating for the continued expansion of voting rights for all.

Damjan