It was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 6, 1965, after a long and difficult struggle that included marches, protests, and civil disobedience.
Here are some of the key provisions of the Voting Rights Act:
- Prohibition of racial discrimination in voting. The Act prohibits any state or local government from denying the right to vote based on race or color.
- Federal oversight of voter registration and elections. The Act requires certain covered states and localities to obtain preclearance from the federal government before making any changes to their voting laws or procedures.
- Creation of the Voting Section. The Act created the Voting Section within the Department of Justice to enforce the Act's provisions.
- Enforcement provisions. The Act includes a number of enforcement provisions, including civil penalties, injunctive relief, and criminal penalties.
The Voting Rights Act has been instrumental in increasing voter participation among African Americans and other minority groups. It has also helped to ensure that the right to vote is not denied based on race or color.
The Act has been challenged in court on several occasions, but it has always been upheld as constitutional. In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled in Shelby County v. Holder that Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act, which required certain states and localities to obtain preclearance from the federal government before making any changes to their voting laws or procedures, was unconstitutional. However, the Court left the rest of the Act intact.
The Voting Rights Act is considered one of the most important pieces of civil rights legislation ever enacted. It has had a profound impact on American democracy, and it continues to be a vital tool for protecting the right to vote.