Founding Values

Amendment XIX

Partial

Women's Suffrage

Ratified August 18, 1920

The Nineteenth Amendment extended the franchise to women after a campaign spanning generations, beginning formally at Seneca Falls (1848) and advancing through state-level victories before achieving the constitutional guarantee. Tennessee's ratification on August 18, 1920 provided the decisive 36th state vote.

SuffrageWomen's RightsVoting RightsProgressive Era
Passed by Congress June 4, 1919Ratified August 18, 1920

Full Text

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Annotated Version

The Amendments XI–XXVII document includes phrase highlights and court case references for this amendment.