Before Andrew Jackson became president, the ability to participate in the political process was largely limited to white male property owners. This was the case during the early years of the United States, as the franchise (the right to vote) was generally restricted to this particular group. Over time, voting rights expanded to include more individuals, such as non-property owners, African Americans (after the abolition of slavery and the passage of the 15th Amendment), women (after the passage of the 19th Amendment), and eventually, the voting age was lowered to 18 with the 26th Amendment.