The United States in the 19th century saw major changes take hold on the political, social, industrial, and electoral level. In 1804, the Twelfth Amendment to the Constitution made a series of revisions to the Electoral College, including the individual elections of both a presidential candidate and a vice presidential candidate. For changes in political … Continue reading American Elections and Campaigns – 1828: “A Sign of Things to Come.”
Gregory Watson holding his Student Academic Record update, showing the new "A+" grade he received for his college essay proposing the 27th Amendment's passage, 2018. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman) Amendment Twenty-seven to the Constitution was ratified on May 7, 1992. It forbids any changes to the salary of Congress members from taking effect until the next … Continue reading “Constitutional Amendments” Series – Amendment XXVII – “Financial Compensation for the Congress”
The first presidential election in the United States was held in 1788. George Washington - the commander of the Continental Army in the American Revolution - had recently announced his return from retirement, whereupon he agreed to run for President. As the Constitution was still being ratified by the states, the inner workings of the … Continue reading American Elections and Campaigns – 1788 to 1800: The Rise of Political Factions in the Early Republic
Demonstrators calling for support to lower voting age in Seattle, Washington, 1969. (Museum of History and Industry) Amendment Twenty-six to the Constitution was ratified on July 1, 1971. It lowered the voting age for all Americans to eighteen years, having previously been twenty-one years for the longest time. The official text is written as such: … Continue reading “Constitutional Amendments” Series – Amendment XXVI – “Voting at the Age of Eighteen”
“The County Election” painting by George Caleb Bingham, 1846. (Public Domain) In keeping with the previous historical analyses published on this website, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum is pleased to announce its next major blog series! This new series will discuss the evolution of elections and campaigns throughout the history of the United … Continue reading New Blog Series: The History of American Elections and Campaigns
Portrait of John Tyler, the first vice president to ascend to the presidency after the death of William Henry Harrison, c. 1861. (Library of Congress) Amendment Twenty-five to the Constitution was ratified on February 10, 1967. It established and explained the complete order of presidential succession, as well as a series of contingency plans to … Continue reading “Constitutional Amendments” Series – Amendment XXV – “Addressing the Presidential Succession Process”
Political cartoon by Theodor Geisel - better known by his penname "Dr. Seuss" - criticizing poll taxes in American elections, 1942. (Public Domain) Amendment Twenty-four to the Constitution was ratified on January 23, 1964. It abolished and forbids the federal and state governments from imposing taxes on voters during federal elections. The official text is … Continue reading “Constitutional Amendments” Series – Amendment XXIV – “Elimination of Poll Taxes”
Official ballot for Washington, D.C. voters in the 1964 presidential election, the first one conducted under the Twenty-third Amendment. (National Museum of American History) Amendment Twenty-three to the Constitution was ratified on March 29, 1961. It gives electors to the District of Columbia - the capital city of the United States - so that it … Continue reading “Constitutional Amendments” Series – Amendment XXIII – “Extending the Vote to the District of Columbia”
Color portrait of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who had been elected president four times from 1932 to 1944. (Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum) Amendment Twenty-two to the Constitution was ratified on February 27, 1951. It establishes term limits on those elected president, and outlines an accompanying series of stipulations regarding the eligibility of … Continue reading “Constitutional Amendments” Series – Amendment XXII – “Term Limits for the Presidency”
Bar patrons in New York City celebrate the Twenty-first Amendment's passage and the subsequent conclusion of the Prohibition Era, 1933. (Getty Images) Amendment Twenty-one to the Constitution was ratified on December 5, 1933. It repealed the previous Eighteenth Amendment which had established a nationwide ban on the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol. The official … Continue reading “Constitutional Amendments” Series – Amendment XXI – “Repeal of Prohibition”
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