Voting Rights in America

This volume presents an edited collection of twelve papers from a conference hosted by the Leadership Conference Education Fund on '200 Years of Expanding the Franchise.' The authors, noted scholars, elected officials, advocates, and community leaders, include Bill Clinton, U.S. Circuit Court Judge Damon J. Keith, historian Mary Frances Berry, political scientist Charles V. Hamilton, and others. The volume explores the history of voting rights, beginning with the debates on the franchise at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and the compromises that left minorities and women without the vote. It discusses the Civil War Amendments and the long struggle to improve our democratic system through eight more amendments regarding voting rights. Finally, it examines the judicial and legislative victories that have been the means for expansion of the franchise and the contemporary struggles to bring all Americans into full electoral participation. Co-published with the Leadership Conference Education Fund.