In 1820 the right to vote was extended but not to women, freed African Americans, nor Native Americans. The right to vote was granted to white men who did not own property but if they did vote, they were required to pay a poll tax, as well as show signs of literacy, and/or pass a religious exam in certain locations.
In the election of 1825, Andrew Jackson received the popular vote, with Adams finishing second. Speaker of the House Henry Clay was excluded from the voting (who also ran for election) because he finished in out of the top 3, however he was close with Adams because they shared a similar national agenda. When each state delegation voted, Adams received the majority of the votes compared to Andrew Jackson, and was elected president. Some including Jackson believe that Clay secretly helped Adams win, given that Jackson won the popular vote but was defeated due to his failure of winning the House of Representatives vote, whom Clay was the leader of and close accomplice of Adams.
