Voting Rights Act of 1965
LegislationAbout
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a landmark U.S. legislation that protects voting rights for racial minorities. Signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 6, 1965, it aims to enforce the Fifteenth Amendment by prohibiting racial discrimination in voting. The Act was designed to address the widespread disenfranchisement of African Americans in the South through measures like literacy tests and poll taxes. It includes provisions that ban such discriminatory practices nationwide and requires certain jurisdictions to obtain federal approval before changing voting procedures. Key provisions include Section 5's preclearance requirement and Section 2's prohibition on voting rules that abridge voting rights based on race or color. The Act has been amended several times, expanding protections to language minorities and other groups. It has significantly increased voter registration among previously disenfranchised communities. Despite challenges, the Voting Rights Act remains a crucial piece of civil rights legislation, ensuring equal access to the ballot for all citizens.
