Before Civil War, the United States had a voting system that was exclusive for white people. Shortly after Civil War, Congress allowed universal male suffrage by the Military Reconstruction Act of 1867 which was ratified one year later with the 14th Amendment. In the following years voting was allowed regardless of the race, color o previous conditions of servitude by the 15th Amendment, Enforcement Act of 1870 and the Force Act of 1871. As a result, the former Confederate States where black citizens were majority, were able to vote and to register to be candidates as well.
