Voting Rights Act 1965: Federal Voting Protection — Reading Comprehension

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark law passed by the United States Congress to address widespread discrimination against African American voters, especially in the South. For decades, many states used unfair tactics such as literacy tests and poll taxes to prevent people of color from voting. These obstacles created a major problem: not all citizens had equal access to the right to vote, a core principle of American democracy.

Civil rights activists, including leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., argued that federal intervention was necessary. They organized marches and protests to bring attention to the issue. One turning point came after the violent events in Selma, Alabama, in March 1965, when peaceful protesters were attacked by police. President Lyndon B. Johnson responded by urging Congress to act, stating, "Their cause must be our cause too. Because it is not just Negroes, but really it is all of us, who must overcome the crippling legacy of bigotry and injustice." This speech highlighted the need for a national solution to a persistent injustice.

The problem, however, was not simple. Some states claimed that voting laws were a matter of local control and that the federal government should not interfere. Others argued that the states' refusal to protect voting rights was a violation of the Constitution's guarantee of equal protection. This conflict between state and federal power made the debate complex and sometimes heated.

The Voting Rights Act offered a solution by giving the federal government the authority to oversee elections in areas with a history of discrimination. The law banned literacy tests and other unfair practices. It also required certain states to get approval, or "preclearance," from the federal government before changing any voting laws. This approach was controversial, but it was supported by evidence showing that local officials often found new ways to block minority voting rights unless there was strong federal oversight.

Different groups viewed the law in different ways. African American communities and civil rights groups saw the act as a victory for equality and justice. Southern state officials and some local politicians, however, believed it was an overreach of federal power. Despite these disagreements, the immediate effect was clear: voter registration among African Americans increased dramatically in targeted areas. Over time, the law helped to reshape the political landscape and strengthen American democracy.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 did not end all voting challenges. New barriers sometimes appeared, and the Supreme Court later changed how some parts of the law could be used. Nevertheless, the Act remains a powerful example of how citizens, activists, and government can work together to solve difficult problems and expand rights for all.

Interesting Fact: The Voting Rights Act of 1965 has been called "one of the most effective pieces of civil rights legislation ever enacted in the country."

When was the Voting Rights Act signed?

Who was President in 1965?

What city is linked to the 1965 protests?

Why did activists want federal intervention?

What was one result of the Act?

How did some states view the Act?

The Act banned literacy tests. True or false?

What does 'preclearance' mean?