Ninety years ago today, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was signed, granting women everywhere the right to vote.

As we celebrate that day, we must never forget that universal suffrage is another in a long line of progressive victories in which states led the way - and set the stage - for national action.

Wyoming Territory went first, allowing women to vote in 1869. And after Wyoming became a state in 1890 - the first U.S. state allowing universal suffrage - other states began to fall like dominoes: Colorado in 1893, Utah in 1895, Idaho in 1896.

By the day the 19th Amendment was signed on August 26th, 1920, 15 states guaranteed women the right to vote in all elections. Thirteen other states allowed women to vote for presidential electors. Still others had granted limited voting rights for municipal offices or ballot initiatives.

But just as states like Wyoming and Colorado set the stage for women's voting rights many years ago, progress is on the march for many of today's progressive priorities if we only look to the states:

-- The Public Option: One state is already building its own state-level public option, and several others are studying the idea for themselves. California has even passed a bill to create a single-payer health care system (only to see it vetoed by a Republican governor).

-- Climate Change: Nine states already operate under a regional cap and trade system, and many other states have passed strict renewable energy standards or tax credits for clean energy projects.

-- Equal Rights: Seven states and the District of Columbia either grant full civil marriage equality or recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. Seven more states allow for same-sex civil unions or domestic partnerships.

The history is clear: when progressives invest their energy in the states, we win nation-wide.

Today's anniversary is a poignant reminder of that pattern. And to me, it's also a reminder of why I became involved in state legislative elections in the first place.

Sincerely,

Michael Sargeant
Executive Director
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee