Voting Rights Act Timeline

Voting Rights Act – Timeline of Key Laws & Amendments

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) is one of the most important civil rights laws in U.S. history. It outlawed discriminatory voting practices and enforced the 15th Amendment. Over time, Congress expanded its protections — but recent court rulings have weakened them.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

  • Prohibited literacy tests and other barriers to minority voting.
  • Required jurisdictions with histories of discrimination to obtain federal preclearance before changing voting laws (Section 5).
  • Authorized federal examiners to oversee elections in problem areas.

1970 Amendments

  • Lowered the voting age in federal elections to 18 (later confirmed nationwide by the 26th Amendment).
  • Expanded language assistance requirements.

1975 Amendments

  • Extended protections to “language minority groups” (Spanish, Native American, Asian American, Alaskan Natives).
  • Required bilingual voting materials in covered jurisdictions.

1982 Amendments

  • Extended Section 5 preclearance for 25 years.
  • Allowed plaintiffs to prove voting discrimination by showing discriminatory “effect,” not just intent.

2006 Reauthorization

  • Renewed key provisions (including Section 5) for 25 more years with near-unanimous bipartisan support.

Supreme Court: Shelby County v. Holder (2013)

  • Struck down the VRA’s coverage formula (Section 4(b)), effectively disabling preclearance under Section 5.
  • After Shelby, states previously under preclearance could change voting laws without federal approval.

Recent Developments

  • Congress has considered updates like the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, but none have passed.
  • The VRA’s Section 2 (ban on racial discrimination in voting) remains in effect, though litigation is ongoing in several states.

Why It Matters Today

The Voting Rights Act remains a cornerstone of American democracy. It:

  • Enforces the 15th Amendment’s promise against racial discrimination in voting.
  • Continues to shape legal battles over voter ID laws, redistricting, and election access.
  • Is at the center of modern debates about federal vs. state power in elections.

Official Sources