1965 Voting Rights Act Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is 1965 Voting Rights Act?

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of legislation in the United States that outlawed discrimination in voting. The act was a response to numerous instances of racial discrimination, especially in the South. It was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 6, 1965 and still stands as one of the greatest civil rights triumphs in American history. The Voting Rights Act prohibited any state from denying citizens their right to vote based on race or color. This law mandated that all voters be treated equally regardless of their race or color and provided for federal oversight over states’ election procedures if they had been found guilty of racial discrimination in the past. The act also called for federal pre-clearance for certain jurisdictions who had a history of voting discrimination before any changes could be made to voting laws or practices, such as redistricting or changing polling locations and requirements for voter registration. This monumental legislation drastically improved minority access to the polls and helped break down Jim Crow laws, which were prominent throughout much of the South at this time and sought to limit African Americans’ presence at polling sites through intimidation tactics, poll taxes, literacy tests and other measures prohibiting them from exercising their right to vote freely. Since its passage fifty years ago, it has been amended several times with more restrictions such as requiring bilingual ballots for Spanish language speakers living in certain areas and protecting Native Americans’ voting rights as well. The long-lasting impact that this legislation has had can still be seen today with increased voter turnout among minority populations since its passage fifty years ago because it paved the way for minorities across America to exercise their right to vote without fear or retributiona right that should never have been taken away from them simply because they were black or brown but is now being protected by this historic piece of legislation passed by President Lyndon B Johnson during an important time in our nation’s history.