The act was passed thanks to continuous efforts from civil rights activists and organizations, along with strong public support. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 built on the success of the Civil Rights Act by focusing on racial discrimination in voting. It eliminated barriers like literacy tests and poll taxes, which did not apply to whites, that kept black people from voting, especially in the South. The act also set up governmental oversight for voter registration and elections in places with a history of discrimination, making sure African Americans could vote without unfair rules or the fear of suffering severe consequences like direct threats or blackmail. As a result, many more African Americans were able to register and vote, leading to better political representation for them in local, state, and national elections. This achievement not only showed the dedication of civil rights leaders and activists who risked their lives for equal rights and justice, but marked a turning point as the gap between social and political disparity began to narrow more and
The act was passed thanks to continuous efforts from civil rights activists and organizations, along with strong public support. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 built on the success of the Civil Rights Act by focusing on racial discrimination in voting. It eliminated barriers like literacy tests and poll taxes, which did not apply to whites, that kept black people from voting, especially in the South. The act also set up governmental oversight for voter registration and elections in places with a history of discrimination, making sure African Americans could vote without unfair rules or the fear of suffering severe consequences like direct threats or blackmail. As a result, many more African Americans were able to register and vote, leading to better political representation for them in local, state, and national elections. This achievement not only showed the dedication of civil rights leaders and activists who risked their lives for equal rights and justice, but marked a turning point as the gap between social and political disparity began to narrow more and