Skip to Main Content
Gale homepage

LibGuides

The Voice of Democracy: Tracing the Right to Vote from Past to Present

History of voting rights, voter discrimination, and suffrage movements.

The Voice of Democracy: Tracing the Right to Vote From Past to Present

 
"The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by human beings for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison people because they are different from others." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 
The collections highlighted in this guide will shed light on the history of voting rights and voter discrimination in the U.S. through the lens of primary source documents and images. This guide will also highlight a number of eBooks and academic articles which can provide useful context to the primary source content examined. Lastly, this guide will provide links to external, reputable voter resources. 

Voter Resources

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR), created by the Civil Rights Act in 1957, is a fact-finding agency of the Federal government. The USCCR investigates allegations of voting rights infringement and discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin. The USCCR website hosts reports, news, and historical data relating to civil rights in the United States.

The Advancement Project uses grassroots initiatives to support social and racial justice. It focuses on issues including voting rights, school-to-prison pipeline, policing and criminalization, immigrant justice, and education justice.

Reclaim the American Dream is an informational website ran by a team of journalist and researchers who state they are committed to keeping the public informed about economic and political issues and reform. Their site includes progress reports, success stories, and information on key issues including constitution amendment, pubic campaign money, relieving student dept, expanding voting rights, and raising minimum wage.

All On the Line is a national campaign that aims to protect voting rights, reduce gun violence, and keep politicians from redrawing electoral maps. The site includes videos, ways to get involved or donate, and a frequently asked questions section.