Voting: The Right and the Responsibility
In under 30 days all the campaigning will be behind us as Americans collectively step forward and elect a new
President. When our forefathers drafted the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the original Constitution
(1787) integral to the success of the new nation was the foundational belief in the rights of the governed to have
a say in the government. America looked toward a system which would be by the people, for the people and of
the people, not leadership simply as a result of birth into a royal line, nor leadership as a result of violent or
military coup. We sought a democratic, legal process for choosing those amongst us who would lead us.
Now let us be clear. When the forefathers first wrote “all men are created equal” they had a different
understanding of what those words meant. In their historical context our forefathers meant free, white,
property-owning, men over the age of 25 are created equal. They did not believe, as we currently do, that “all
people are created equal.” It took the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice of many to shift national
consciousness to this contemporary understanding. We did this through a myriad of political and educational
efforts designed to include the rich diversity of all Americans in the voting process. As years passed, barriers
fell.
1787 marked the removal of religious exclusions
1792-1856: laws were passed removing property qualifications (allowing all classes of white men to
vote)
1870’s ratification of the 15th amendment opened the polls to all men regardless of race, color or
previous condition of servitude.
1920 gave women the right to vote with the ratification of the 19th amendment.
Native Americans gained U.S. citizenship in 1924 and thusly the right to vote.
DC residents were granted the right to vote in 1961.
In 1964 ratification of the 24th Amendment prohibited any poll tax in elections for federal officials.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibited racial discrimination in voting; shutting down efforts such as
literacy tests, excessive registration requirements, property requirements, and physical violence
(among others) designed to keep minority voters away from the elections.
The 26th Amendment, ratified in 1971, allowed 18-21 year olds (legal adults) to vote.
1986 marked changes in voting laws allowing Americans who are overseas (such as our military
members) the ability to cast absentee ballots.
Each one of these changes opened the door for more Americans to vote. Women and men, of all races, colors
and creeds, across class lines and age categories worked hard and diligently to insure that now in 2016 “all are
created equal” and can have a say in being governed. This essay is a call to reflect not simply on our right as
Americans to vote but also our responsibility to honor the sacrifices and efforts made to make sure we could.
Come November 8th – be an American who proudly wears the “I voted” sticker – make a difference!