Voting Rights Act
A message from Democracia Ahora — Advocacy Affiliate of Democracia U.S.A.
What is it?
The Voting Rights Act (VRA), enacted in 1965, is one of the most important and effective laws that were passed thanks to the civil rights movement. The VRA not only abolished poll taxes, literacy tests and other obstacles that had denied blacks and other minorities access to the ballot box, but also protected voters against future discrimination. According to the Department of Justice, the VRA "stands for the principle that everyone's vote is equal, and that neither race nor language should shut any of us out of the political process." Since being enacted, the temporary provisions of the VRA have been renewed four times.
This act was signed into law on August 6, 1965, by President Lyndon Johnson. It outlawed the discriminatory voting practices(Large click here)
What has been the effect of the VRA?
Immediately after its passage, voter registration by African Americans increased greatly. The language provisions also made it possible for millions of Latinos, Asian Americans and Native Americans to cast an informed vote. The act has opened the political process to every American.
Why is it still important?
Discrimination, while not as blatant as it was in the 1960s, is still practiced. In Georgia alone there have been 123 objections to discriminatory voting practices since 1982. The VRA gives the Justice Department and citizens the power to fight practices that make it harder for people to register and vote, or that dilute the votes of racial minorities. And the VRA's language provisions help millions of American citizens cast an informed vote.
Why is it now being threatened?
Parts of the VRA are permanent, but three important areas expire in 2007, unless the Senate renews them.
- Section 203 requires jurisdictions with a concentration of citizens who are limited in English proficiency to provide bilingual language assistance to voters, including ballots. Without language assistance to help them fully understand complicated election materials, voters with limited English proficiency would surely be discouraged from participating in our political process. Our democracy is healthier when more people, not fewer, participate.
- Section 5 requires that the federal government or a federal court approve all changes to voting procedures made by jurisdictions with a history of discrimination.
- Sections 6 through 9 authorize the federal government to send examiners and observers to jurisdictions covered by Section 5 when there is evidence of attempts to intimidate minority voters at the polls.
What can be done to preserve the VRA?
The House of Representatives recently passed the VRA; it's now in the Senate's hands. Democracia Ahora urges you to contact your Senators to reauthorize the VRA – and to oppose any effort to undermine its effectiveness. To reach your state senators, call the Senate switchboard at (202) 224-3121.
