The Voting Rights Movement
The struggle for Black voting rights is one of the most enduring pillars of American democracy. From the 15th Amendment to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and through ongoing battles against voter suppression today, the story of the Black vote is the story of America’s fight for equality.
Historical Foundations
The Reconstruction Amendments promised Black men the vote, but Jim Crow laws, literacy tests, poll taxes, and violence disenfranchised millions for nearly a century.
The Civil Rights Era
Grassroots leaders, SNCC activists, and organizations like the NAACP and SCLC pushed forward, culminating in the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery marches and the passage of the Voting Rights Act under Lyndon B. Johnson.
Contemporary Challenges
Since the Supreme Court’s 2013 Shelby County v. Holder decision gutted key VRA protections, voter ID laws, purges of voter rolls, and redistricting battles have intensified. Black voters remain on the frontlines defending democratic participation.
Looking Ahead
The future of voting rights rests on grassroots organizing, federal protections like the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and digital mobilization in the age of disinformation.
Updated 2025. Originally archived.
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