From its roots in early English rules to its practice today, this work covers the evolution, expansion, and ongoing debates regarding "the first liberty" in America. The Right to Vote: Rights and Liberties under the Law tracks the expansion of the franchise in America from colonial times to the present. Opening with a case study establishing the importance of access to the ballot, the main emphasis shifts to pivotal points in American history including the hard-fought struggles for women's suffrage and racial equality. A chapter on 21st-century voting rights addresses the most unsettled issue we face today--the use of majority-minority districts to enhance the political influence of African Americans and Latinos. A parting look at free and fair elections and the 2000 presidential election debacle shows how votes not counted or improperly credited can make a mockery of the democratic process. * Two maps help illustrate the representation problem of majority-minority districts * Excerpts from key Supreme Court decisions on voting rights and representation