UNIT 5
Decades of Change
LESSON 3
Voting Rights
During the 1960s, the civil rights movement fought for equal rights for African Americans. One issue at the forefront of this fight was voting rights. Many states had discriminatory laws and practices that made it difficult or impossible for African Americans to register to vote or cast their ballots. This included poll taxes, literacy tests, and violence and intimidation at polling places.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of legislation that aimed to address these issues. It prohibited discriminatory practices and required federal oversight of voting procedures in states with a history of discrimination. As a result, millions of African Americans were able to register to vote and participate in the democratic process.
The impact of the Voting Rights Act was significant beyond just providing access to the ballot box. It helped pave the way for greater representation of African Americans in government, including the election of the first black members of Congress since Reconstruction. It also inspired other marginalized groups, such as women and Latinos, to fight for their own voting rights.
However, in recent years there have been efforts to roll back voting rights, particularly through measures such as voter ID laws, gerrymandering, and voter purges. These efforts disproportionately affect minorities and threaten to undermine the progress that has been made towards a more inclusive democracy. It is important to continue to fight for voting rights for all, in order to ensure that everyone's voices are heard in our democracy.