Next year, our country will experience another presidential election. I don’t know how many of us stop to think about our right to vote and what that means, but I worry that too many people take that right for granted. Our history describes the struggles experienced by certain groups of people — women and African Americans, for example — and even today the right to vote remains a contentious issue for some.
I think reviewing our history as it relates to voting rights is not only wise but timely considering the upcoming elections. 2019 and 2020 mark two important occasions for voting rights. On June 4, 1919, Congress officially passed the 19th amendment which gives women the right to vote, and on Aug. 18, 1920, the 19th amendment was ratified. In case you’re curious about the exact wording of the amendment, here it is: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.” 2020 will also mark the founding of the League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization that believes “citizens should play a critical role in advocacy.”
The emphasis of the reading list I’ve created is on the history of women’s right to vote, but you will also find “Give Us the Ballot” by Ari Berman, a compelling examination of the history of voting rights in America, and “One Vote, Two Votes” by Bonnie Worth, a title in the Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library series and a wonderful, kid-friendly introduction to the concept of voting.
I want to encourage readers to explore other material about the rights of citizens, what it means to live in a democracy, and why it’s important to be civic-minded. The library has many great resources, and if you’re not sure where to start, staff will be happy to assist you in your search.
