Before 1920, what determined women's voting eligibility in the U.S.?

The correct answer highlights a crucial aspect of the U.S. political system prior to 1920, specifically regarding voting rights for women. Before the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, states held the authority to determine voting eligibility. This decentralized approach meant that laws varied significantly from state to state. Some states permitted women to vote in certain contexts or forms of elections, while others outright prohibited it.

This situation illustrates the principle of federalism inherent in the U.S. Constitution, where powers not explicitly granted to the federal government are reserved for the states. The lack of a uniform federal mandate meant that women’s voting rights relied heavily on state legislation and local attitudes toward women’s suffrage.

Understanding this context clarifies the nature of women's voting rights before 1920, as issues of eligibility were not dictated at a national level but were instead managed by individual states, contributing to the diverse landscape of voting rights during that period.