1776 - Declaration of Independence - "Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed."
1788 - Voting eligibility defined by the states. Citizens, male, white, landowners, who are 21 or older
1820's - Many states repeal the property ownership qualification to vote
1868 - Anyone born in the US is a citizen. Including former slaves
1870 - Black men can vote. However, discriminatory laws make it difficult
1920 - Women can vote
1923 - Native Americans (born in the US) can vote
1943 - Chinese immigrants may become citizens (an 1882 law was repealed)
1961 - Residents of Washington D.C. may vote in presidential elections
1965 - Voting Rights Act - Laws that discriminate to make voting harder are illegal
1971 - Voting age lowered from 21 to 18 (draft age)
1975 - Non-english speakers must receive assistance if they require it to vote
1984 - Voting locations must be wheelchair accessible
1993 - The Department of Motor Vehicles required to offer voter registration service to car owners
2002 - Help America Vote Act - established national voter registry, certifications for voting machines, policies, etc.
2013 - Some aspects of the 1965 Voting Rights Act are repealed. States can now selectively enforce requirements to vote like providing ID, registration, proof of literacy, etc.