How does the Constitution address the right to vote?

The Constitution of the United States addresses the right to vote through a series of amendments that guarantee and protect voting rights. These amendments include the 15th Amendment, 19th Amendment, 24th Amendment, and 26th Amendment.

15th Amendment

The 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. This amendment aimed to grant African American men the right to vote following the Civil War.

19th Amendment

The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, granted women the right to vote, ensuring that the right to vote could not be denied on the basis of sex.

24th Amendment

The 24th Amendment, ratified in 1964, abolished the poll tax as a requirement for voting in federal elections, ensuring that the right to vote could not be denied due to the failure to pay a tax.

26th Amendment

The 26th Amendment, ratified in 1971, lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, granting citizens aged 18 and older the right to vote.

These amendments collectively work to protect and uphold the right to vote for all citizens of the United States, ensuring that individuals are not discriminated against based on race, sex, tax status, or age when it comes to participating in the democratic process.