The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a landmark piece of federal legislation in the United States, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 6, 1965. The act aimed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote under the 15th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution (ratified in 1870).
Ban on Literacy Tests: The act outlawed literacy tests and other discriminatory practices that were commonly used in the Southern states to disenfranchise African American voters.
Federal Oversight: It established federal oversight in areas with a history of discriminatory voting practices, allowing the federal government to monitor elections and intervene if necessary to ensure that voting rights were not being violated.
Preclearance: Section 5 of the act required jurisdictions with a history of voter suppression (mostly Southern states) to obtain federal approval, or "preclearance," before making any changes to their voting laws or practices. This provision was designed to prevent new discriminatory laws from being enacted.
Enforcement by the Attorney General: The U.S. Attorney General was empowered to challenge discriminatory voting laws and practices in court.
The Voting Rights Act was a direct response to the long-standing discrimination African Americans faced, particularly in the South, where Jim Crow laws effectively disenfranchised them. Prior to its passage, despite the 15th Amendment, African Americans were often systematically denied the right to vote through tactics like poll taxes, literacy tests, and intimidation.
The push for the act intensified after events like the Selma to Montgomery marches in Alabama, which highlighted the brutal resistance to African Americans' efforts to register to vote. The violence faced by peaceful protesters in Selma, especially during "Bloody Sunday" on March 7, 1965, shocked the nation and increased pressure on Congress to act.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a significant victory for the Civil Rights Movement and drastically increased African American voter registration and participation, particularly in the South. It also empowered minorities in other regions to more freely exercise their voting rights