The first important legislation to address voting rights in the United States was the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This landmark piece of legislation aimed to overcome barriers that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote as guaranteed by the 15th Amendment to the US Constitution. The Voting Rights Act banned literacy tests, poll taxes, and other discriminatory practices that were used to disenfranchise minority voters. It also established federal oversight of voting practices in states with a history of discrimination. The Voting Rights Act has been reauthorized several times since its passage and has had a profound impact on increasing voter turnout and political representation for marginalized communities.
