Voting Rights Act 1965

Definition

The Voting Rights Act 1965 is a landmark piece of federal legislation in the United States that prohibits racial discrimination in voting.

Analogy

Imagine if during a game of musical chairs, some players were unfairly prevented from sitting down because they wore red shirts. The Voting Rights Act 1965 would be like changing the rules so everyone wearing any color shirt can sit down when the music stops - ensuring fairness for all participants.

Related terms

Civil Rights Movement: A struggle by African Americans in mid-20th century America to achieve equal rights under law with whites.

Poll Tax: A tax levied on every adult without reference to income or resources; historically used in some states of U.S. as a measure preventing African Americans from voting before outlawed by 24th Amendment.

Literacy Test: These were designed to limit eligible voters via education level and effectively disenfranchise racial minorities; also outlawed by Voting Rights Act 1965.