American democracy has been so successful that it has come to the point most of the population takes voting for granted. The reality is it has not been long since certain ethnic groups and women were not allowed to vote. Yet voting is one of the fundamental actions that developed our democracy.
The beginnings of our voting system start in England. The common people did not have a say or vote. The vote became the privilege of parliament and councils. These positions were filled with nobility, the wealthy, and persons who through war, status, or social rank had become gentlemen and earned the right to vote. This right included a small portion of the population less than 5%. For most of human history, a few people are rich and the rest are poor, poorer, and poorest.
The first permanent English American settlement was Jamestown. Jametown is familiar to us because of the love affair between Captain John Smith and Pocahontas. When the first colonists arrived on the shores of present day Virginia around April 26, 1607, the leaders and the 105 colonists unsealed a box that contained the names of seven men. These names were the picks for the colony’s council. These councilors elected a president Master Edward Wingfield. It was nearly the last time voting happened English style.
As the colonies grew and developed the government reflected the representative style. Each colony created different voting systems. Though these voting systems are narrow by today’s standards, the common theme was they intentionally allowed more and more people to vote. It started with colonists choosing people for their legislatures. Higher officials were determined by the King of England or by designated officials.
As the lists of who could vote increased and broadened so did our idea of democracy. Voting creates and maintains democracy. Voting is what makes America, America.
