Begin this activity by asking students to share responses to a “Do Now” question. What requirements, if any, are there to vote in the United States today? Responses may vary somewhat by state but should include:

• A U.S. citizen
• Resident of an identified state
• 18 years or older
• Not currently incarcerated because of a felony conviction.

Inform or review with students that despite these current requirements that over the course of United States history, many groups of people did not have the right to vote and that some Americans still cannot vote. 

Introduce to students that in order to explore and visualize the historical milestones and struggles different groups have experienced they will each contribute to the creation of a Voting Rights timeline. If time does not allow for students to create the timeline you can provide a timeline to students for review. 

Divide students as desired and assign each a group that was not initially allowed to vote in America or had inequitable barriers to voting. Students should independently research using sources of your choosing to identify key events and key legislation dates leading up to federal suffrage interventions. As time allows, students can also identify key figures or movements. Groups include:

• African American Men/Women
• Asian American Men/Women
• Caucasian Men/Women
• Latino & Hispanic American Men/Women
• Native American Men/Women
• Young Adults aged 18-20 

Reconvene the class and invite students to share their findings in order to construct a visual anchor chart. Students should then review the chart and share noticings and wonderings with the group. As a final discussion question, discuss with students responses to the following questions.

• Why is it important to be able to vote at all?
• What group(s) have not experienced barriers to voting? 
• In what ways may we still see the impact of barriers to voting today?