What is the Voting Rights Act of 1965?
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a landmark civil rights law that prohibits discrimination in voting based on race or color. It was passed in response to the long history of voter suppression and discrimination against voters of color in the United States. The law explicitly bans election practices that require registration and voting tests or other obstacles to registration and voting. It also requires federal approval of any changes to voting processes or procedures that could hamper voting access. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 made it illegal to deny citizens their right to vote based on race, color, or language skills. It also prohibited redistricting, poll taxes, and literacy tests for voting eligibility. In addition, it established federal oversight of elections in states where voting discrimination was found. This meant that states with a history of discrimination had to get approval from the federal government before changing their voting laws. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is widely credited for significant gains in minority voting rights, including increases in voter registration and turnout. It has been the tool of choice for civil rights lawyers in fighting court battles over voting rights. In 2013, the Supreme Court invalidated a key provision of the Voting Rights Act, ruling that the preclearance requirement was out of date. As a result, several states have implemented laws that place restrictions on voting rights.
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