The Importance of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in Protecting Voter Rights

Today marks the 59th anniversary of the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA), signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on August 6, 1965. This landmark legislation was a crucial step towards ensuring that all Americans, regardless of race or ethnicity, had the right to vote. The VRA was a response to widespread voter suppression tactics, such as literacy tests and poll taxes, that were used to disenfranchise Black voters in the South.

A decade into a new era of voting laws designed to suppress the vote, Black voters today have fewer voting rights protections than in 1965. The purpose of preclearance was to ensure that any changes in these “covered jurisdictions” did not discriminate against voters of color. However, in 2013, the Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the VRA, which required certain states with a history of voter discrimination to obtain federal approval before changing their voting laws.

Since then, many states have implemented restrictive voting laws, such as voter ID requirements and limits on early voting, which disproportionately affect minority voters. In response to these challenges, there have been efforts at both the state and federal levels to strengthen voting rights protections. For example, a four-bill package which would mirror the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 has passed through the Michigan Senate.

Passed by Congress on February 26, 1869, and ratified on February 3, 1870, the 15th Amendment granted African American men the right to vote. However, it wasn't until the VRA of 1965 that meaningful protections were put in place to enforce this right. The VRA led to a dramatic increase in the participation of Black voters in elections, helping to ensure that their voices were heard in the democratic process.

Since the 2020 census data was released, racially discriminatory redistricting processes and laws have spread across the nation's. This has raised concerns about the impact on minority communities and their ability to elect representatives who will advocate for their interests.

In Minnesota, the Voting Rights Act will ensure that Minnesotans can vindicate these essential protections to combat racial discrimination in voting. The Act will help to safeguard the rights of qualified voters and reduce barriers to election participation, ensuring that all voices are heard in the political process.