AMENDMENT XIX
(Women's Sufferage Amendment)

Passed by Congress June 4, 1919. Ratified August 18, 1920.

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.

Equal Rights Amendment

Alice Paul, a women's suffragist leader, wrote the Equal Rights Amendment in 1923.  It was introduced during every congressional session between 1923 and 1972, when Congress passed the ERA and sent to the 50 state legislatures for ratification.  35 of the required 38 states passed the ERA by 1982, when the extended deadline for ratification elapsed.  Since 1982 the ERA has been reintroduced into every congressional session.

Section 1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.

Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.

Section 3. This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.