The Voting Rights Act Explained

By: Brooke Paganelli

When we think of accomplishments made for voting rights, we often think of the 19th amendment. However, just as important is the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 outlawed all discriminatory methods used in many southern states to keep people of color from voting.

What did the voting rights act of 1965 do? What are some things it accomplished?

Aspects of The Voting Rights Act were meant to aid in the exercisement of people of color’s 15th amendment rights. Under the 15th amendment, anyone was allowed to vote despite their race. However, many southern states put restrictions in place to keep black voters from registering. These practices included poll taxes, which required you to pay to vote, and literacy tests, which were impossible measures of intelligence meant to trick you into failing said tests. 

Another important aspect of The Voting Rights Act was the creation of federal examiners. These examiners aided in registering black voters by creating clearance for them to vote. They did this by creating lists of people qualified to vote. One-third of black voters registered to vote in the following year were registered by federal examiners. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 6, 1965.  

How did the Voting Rights Act help black voters?

The Voting Rights act also stated that you could not deny someone permission to vote based on race. This was very important for voters of color, who were previously turned away at the polls. 

The impact of The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was nearly immediate. By the end of 1965, a quarter of a million new black voters had been registered. By the end of 1966, 9 of the 13 southern states had more than 50% of their black voters registered. Elections were more equal and better spoke for the country they were representing.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 may not have been the first piece of legislation to create an impact on suffrage, but it was one of the most important. Because of it, more people of color could vote than ever before. This change caused a domino effect, leading to more positive legislation being passed. If you can vote for the right people for your cause, then more progress can be made. We can see that our votes truly can cause positive change following this narrative thread. So vote, and create the world you want to live in.