How did voting laws change in the 1820s, and how did these changes affect voter turnout?

• In the United States during the 1820s, significant changes occurred in voting laws, which effectively broadened the electorate by reducing property and tax qualifications for white male voters. Prior to these changes, to vote in most states, an individual needed to own a certain amount of property or pay a certain level of taxes, effectively limiting the right to vote to white male property owners.
• However, during the 1820s, many states rewrote their constitutions or passed laws that either greatly reduced these qualifications or eliminated them entirely. This movement was part of what is known as the Jacksonian Democracy, a period marked by the ascent of President Andrew Jackson and his populist policies, which advocated for the extension of democracy and political power to the "common man."

As a result of these reforms in voting laws:

1. The pool of eligible voters significantly increased. With the removal or reduction of property and tax-paying qualifications, more white men of various economic classes could participate in elections.

2. Political campaigns and parties began to target this broader audience. The language and methods used in campaigns became more directly geared towards appealing to the common man. There were also efforts to make voting easier and more accessible, such as moving voting locations from remote courthouses to more local and convenient venues.

3. Voter turnout surged. This enlargement of the franchise led to a drastic increase in the percentage of eligible voters who turned out to vote. For example, voter participation increased from about 27% in the 1824 presidential election to over 57% by the 1828 election, signaling a much more engaged and inclusive political community.