Volume 16 , Issue 6

Voting Rights Act of 1965

The United States Department of Justice states, "The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is considered to be the most effective civil rights statute enacted by Congress.

Pursuant to the Act, the Voting Section undertakes investigations and litigation throughout the Untied States and its territories, conducts administrative review of changes in voting practices and procedures in certain jurisdictions, and monitors elections in various parts of the county."

Section 2 of the Act, is a nationwide prohibition against voting practices and procedures, including redistricting plans and at-large election systems, poll worker hiring, and voter registration procedures, that discriminate on the basis of race, color or membership in a language minority group. It prohibits not only election related practices and procedures that are intended to be racially discriminatory, but also those that are shown to have a racially discriminatory impact. The Attorney General, as well as affect private citizens, may bring lawsuits under Section 2 to obtain court ordered remedies for violations of Section 2.

To further educate yourself concerning the Voting Rights Act of 1965, you can follow this link over to the Civil Rights Division Statutes Overview.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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