Washington (AP) – Voting Rights Act 1965 was a follow-up law to the Civil Rights Act, passed a year ago. On a break from tradition, then-President Lyndon Johnson went to Capitol Hill to sign the bill, rather than holding a signature ceremony at the White House.
His daughter Luci Baines Johnson I told the Associated Press Interviews for 2023 He did it to honor the courage of members who supported the law, despite the possibility of sacrificing a seat in Congress.
What did you do in the Voting Rights Act?
There were several elements in lawhowever, it largely ended discriminatory practices against black voters that were common in many states, such as voting taxes and literacy tests that allowed them to alienate those voters. The law also established a process known as Previous Identificationall or some of the 15 states with a history of discriminatory practices in voting demanded federal approval before changing the way elections are held.
What did voter suppression look like before the law was enacted?
The 15th Amendment was ratified in 1870, and the state could not prevent people from voting based on race, color or previous slavery. Despite the amendments, several southern states were able to enact Literacy test for black citizens It was not required of white citizens who voted or were descendants of voters before ratification of the 14th Amendment. That tactic is known as the Grandfather’s clause and worked to rule out black voters.
Black citizens have also been excluded from participating in party primary elections in some states. Voting taxes, or voting fees, were barriers, and lynchings and other forms of violence helped to threaten black voters.
What facilitated the passage of the Voting Rights Act?
It was held by civil rights activists A series of marching and protests In Alabama in 1965 Pastor was arrested in the town of Marion. Fearing he would be lynched, his supporters planned an evening protest march from a nearby church to the prison. They met the police. Church deacon Jimmy Lee Jackson was fatally shot in the subsequent brawl.
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference and local leaders considered taking Jackson’s body from Marion to Montgomery. Instead, he was buried near Marion, with plans to march from Selma 30 miles (48 km) away, and stage a more logical staging area. What has come to be known as A bloody Sundayon March 7, 1965, hundreds of marchers met state troopers and attacked them at the Edmund Petus Bridge. The footage of the violence shocked the country and brought momentum to groundbreaking federal law.
When did voting rights protection begin to erode?
In 2013, the Supreme Court issued it Deciding 5-4 Shelbyv. It is known as Holder. Within hours, the state began announcing changes to the law that began limiting voting rights. that Accelerated in Republican-controlled states After President Donald Trump started Incorrectly claim His losses for reelection 2020 It was due to a widespread fraud.
Where are we now?
The Supreme Court has decided whether to listen or not. Case from North Dakota The 8th Circuit held that individuals and entities were unable to submit voting rights assignments. This is how most of such cases have come to be. The court said only the U.S. Attorney General could file these cases. Two other 8th Circuit Panels I made it Similar ruling. Other circuits have ruled that there is The right to private action For such a challenge.
Separately, the Supreme Court is waiting to be explained by a lawyer Louisiana Incident It centers on whether the parliamentary districts depicted to benefit black voters are constitutional. The issue is section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. This requires a political map that includes districts where priority candidates from ethnic minorities can win elections.
There are also ongoing actions at the state level. Presidential Order With Trump Parliamentary Act This requires documented proof of citizenship to register for the vote.
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