American Indian Voting Rights through History

Voting rights are largely governed by states and citizenship status. American Indians were not universally granted citizenship until 1924, and states interpreted voting rights differently. Some states didn’t extend suffrage to American Indians until well into the 20th century.

In this activity, you will see documents from the 1830s through the 1970s. Click on the “Open in New Window” icon to see each one more closely. Note what you think each document is saying and why it’s important. Then place the documents in chronological order.

As you work, consider what major events were going on in the country that may have contributed to the contemporary conversation around Native American voting rights.