Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly, February 1877
About the Project
The right to vote is the foundation of democracy. Yet throughout American history, suffrage has not been universally granted to all citizens. Rather, laws on the right to vote reflect who is seen as responsible enough to hold this right.
History shows that responsibility is understood in two ways: making independent decisions and contributing to society. Advocates seeking to expand voting rights to new groups, therefore, often put forward evidence showing they are responsible citizens.
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New Jersey is an interesting case for studying the right to vote. Women and free Blacks were able to vote in the state as early as the late 18th century. The state also featured early activism on suffrage for women, Blacks, and young people in the 19th and 20th centuries.
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This website traces the history of voting rights in New Jersey. It shows how gender, race, and age have shaped ideas about suffrage and responsibility over time.
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It is a slightly modified version of Lars Harrison's entry for New Jersey History Day 2025 on the theme "Rights and Responsibilities."​​