The Constitution does not directly specify who has the right to vote. It initially left the matter to the states to determine voter qualifications. However, through subsequent amendments, the Constitution has been revised to extend suffrage to various groups of citizens. The 15th Amendment (1870) prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. The 19th Amendment (1920) prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on sex. The 24th Amendment (1964) prohibits poll taxes in federal elections, which were often used to discourage African Americans from voting. The 26th Amendment (1971) sets the minimum voting age at 18 for all elections. Additionally, various federal laws, such as the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, have been enacted to further protect and expand voting rights.
