The 1965 Voting Rights Act — 60th Anniversary

The 60th anniversary of the 1965 Voting Rights Act (VRA) reminds us that we need to not only preserve the protections of the VRA — and reinstate those that have been removed or diluted — but also to strengthen voting rights to achieve a thriving democracy in the United States. The VRA is more than a legacy of the Civil Rights Movement; it remains essential for ensuring equal access to the ballot.

Enacted to remove the barriers of racist policies, the VRA affirmed the right to vote for millions of African Americans. Enforcement of this law has expanded political opportunities for Black Americans and other people of color. But as more diverse and pluralistic participation in politics and society has increased, conservative pushback against equality and attacks on voting rights and the VRA have also intensified. In recent years, the Supreme Court has gutted significant provisions of the VRA, resulting in increasing voter suppression. And Congress’ 2025 SAVE Act legislation would severely threaten voter participation.

Understanding the VRA’s protections and why they remain so important is a first step. Why was the Voting Rights Act enacted? What are the VRA’s essential protections? And why is the VRA crucial for democracy today? Learn more with this new Learning for Justice resource.