1one of the most important rights of american citizens is the right to vote. originally under the constitution, only white male citizens over the age of 21 were eligible to vote. this injustice has been corrected and voting rights have been extended several times throughout our nation’s history. today, citizens over the age of 18 cannot be denied the right to vote, regardless of race, religion, gender or disability. however, in every state except north dakota, citizens must register to vote.

2 the right to vote was first extended to african americans under the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments to the constitution, passed after the civil war. these amendments guaranteed that all male citizens, regardless of their race, would receive equal treatment under the law and not be deprived of their rights as u. s. citizens. the fifteenth amendment is specifically dedicated to protecting the right of all citizens to vote, regardless of their race.

3 however, this was not the end of the voting rights struggle for african americans. because of widespread discrimination in some states, african americans were not assured full voting rights until president lyndon b. johnson signed the voting rights act in 1965.

4 women were denied the right to vote until 1920, when the nineteenth amendment was passed. prior to that, women had only been able to vote in select states.

5 national elections occur every two years, on the first tuesday after the first monday in november. every member of the house of representatives and about one-third of the senate is up for reelection in any given election year. a presidential election is held every fourth year.

which best summarizes this source?
a) author kathy hufford makes it clear that the constitution gave voting rights at first only to white males, but quickly changed the rules to allow everyone the opportunity to vote. this included african americans and women, starting in 1920. many people were happy with these changes and voter turnout in the country's national elections increased, especially after the nineteenth amendment was passed.
b) united states citizens who register and are at least eighteen years old are eligible to vote regardless of race, religion, gender, or disability. the constitution initially extended this right only to white males, then later to african american males under the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments. in 1920 voting rights were protected for all american women under the nineteenth amendment. the voting rights act in 1965 addressed issues of racial discrimination.
c) american citizens have the right to vote, but originally under the constitution, only white male citizens over the age of twenty one could vote. this injustice has been changed and voting rights have been extended several times throughout our nation’s history. now, citizens over the age of eighteen cannot be denied the right to vote, regardless of race, religion, gender or disability. however, in every state except north dakota, citizens must register to vote.
d) in america, voting is an important right protected under the constitution. the struggle for voting rights continues in national elections. these elections are held every two years, on the first tuesday in november. every member of the house of representatives and about one-third of the senate is up for reelection in any given election year. a presidential election is held every fourth year. this gives everyone several opportunities to vote regardless of race, religion, gender, or disability.