What is the significance of the Voting Right Act of 1965?
a. It guaranteed the right to vote for women
b. It outlawed racial discrimination in voting practices
c. It granted voting rights to citizens aged 18 and older
b. It outlawed racial discrimination in voting practices
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of legislation that aimed to combat racial discrimination in voting practices, particularly in the South where African Americans faced many barriers to voting, such as literacy tests and poll taxes. The Act prohibited literacy tests, poll taxes, and other discriminatory practices that had been used to disenfranchise minority voters. It also allowed for federal oversight of elections in areas with a history of racial discrimination. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was crucial in empowering African Americans to exercise their right to vote and participate fully in the democratic process.