At One Nation Every Vote (OneV), we are committed to telling the story of democracy—moment by moment. Each week in our educational series, we’re highlighting a key milestone that expanded voting rights in the United States. This week, we bring you Moment #3: The Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most transformative pieces of legislation in American history.
What Led to the Voting Rights Act
The right to vote had long been guaranteed on paper by the 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870. But in practice, millions of Black Americans—particularly in the South—were denied access to the ballot through voter suppression tactics like literacy tests, poll taxes, grandfather clauses, and outright intimidation and violence.
Throughout the early 20th century, civil rights advocates worked tirelessly to combat these injustices. The urgency for federal action intensified in the 1950s and 1960s, as the modern Civil Rights Movement gained national attention. One of the most pivotal moments came in 1965, in Selma, Alabama.
Peaceful protesters demanding voting rights were brutally attacked by law enforcement during a march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on March 7, 1965—a day now known as “Bloody Sunday.” The images of the violence shocked the nation and galvanized public support for stronger protections for Black voters.
The Act and Its Immediate Impact
In response, President Lyndon B. Johnson called on Congress to pass sweeping voting rights legislation. On August 6, 1965, the Voting Rights Act was signed into law.
The Act banned the use of literacy tests and other discriminatory practices that had been used to suppress the vote. It also authorized federal oversight of voter registration and elections in jurisdictions with a history of voter suppression.
The impact was immediate. Within months, hundreds of thousands of Black Americans were newly registered to vote. By the end of 1965, the federal government had filed dozens of lawsuits to enforce the Act. The law gave new meaning to the promise of the 15th Amendment.
The Fight Continues
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a watershed moment—but the struggle to protect it continues to this day.
In 2013, the Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby County v. Holder struck down a key provision of the Act that required states with histories of discrimination to seek federal approval before changing voting laws. Since that ruling, several states have implemented restrictive voting measures, once again placing barriers between voters and the ballot box.
While the Voting Rights Act remains a cornerstone of American democracy, its power has been weakened. Advocacy for restoring and strengthening it remains essential.
Why This Moment Matters
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 fundamentally reshaped American democracy. It recognized voting as a right that must be protected by the federal government—not just declared in principle. It empowered disenfranchised communities and demonstrated that legal change, when backed by grassroots activism, can shift the course of history.
It stands as a powerful example of how citizens, through courage and collective action, can force a nation to live up to its ideals.
Coming Up Next Week…
Next week, we reveal Moment #2 in OneV’s Top 20 Moments in American Voting History. The countdown continues toward the most defining moment in the expansion of voting rights in the United States.
Join the Movement
If you believe in the power of voting, if you want to learn more about the history of voting rights in America, and if you’re committed to increasing voter turnout in elections at all levels of government—support One Nation Every Vote (OneV).
Help us continue sharing these vital stories. Help us protect and expand the right to vote for all.
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Together, we can ensure that every vote—and every voter—counts.
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