Voting Rights Act Of 1965 Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is Voting Rights Act Of 1965?

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a historic piece of legislation that drastically changed the landscape of voting in the United States. It was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 6, 1965, and aimed to ensure that all American citizens had equal access to the polls regardless of race or color. This act helped to combat barriers put in place by state and local governments which were designed to prevent certain minority groups from being able to vote.The Voting Rights Act outlawed discriminatory practices such as literacy tests and poll taxes, which had been used for decades in order to deny African Americans the right to vote. It also provided federal oversight for elections in areas where minority groups historically faced discrimination at the polls. The act made it illegal for states or municipalities with a history of voting discrimination from making any changes that could affect election procedures without first obtaining approval from either the Department of Justice or a three-judge panel in Washington D.C., known as preclearance. In addition, this act also ensured language assistance for non-English speakers during elections and protected voters from intimidation tactics such as physical violence or threats of economic reprisal when they attempt to exercise their right to vote. Finally, it set up an enforcement mechanism whereby those who violate these rights can be punished with stiff legal penalties including fines and jail time if convicted. By passing this landmark legislation, Congress took an important step towards ensuring racial equality within the United States electoral process. Though there are still some obstacles that exist today when it comes to voter suppression and disenfranchisement, The Voting Rights Act has greatly improved both voter turnout numbers amongst minority populations as well as overall public confidence in our nations democratic system of governance.