What was one major effect of the Voting Rights Act of 1965?

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 had a profound impact on American democracy by protecting the voting rights of all citizens, especially minority groups who had faced systematic discrimination at the polls. Prior to the Act, various discriminatory practices, such as literacy tests and poll taxes, were used to disenfranchise African American voters and other minority groups, particularly in the Southern states.

With the passage of this legislation, barriers to voting were removed, specifically targeting the laws and practices that marginalized voters based on race. The Act prohibited states from implementing such discriminatory measures and provided federal oversight and enforcement to ensure that all citizens could register and vote without facing unfair obstacles. This led to a significant increase in voter registration among African Americans and other minorities, thereby improving their representation in government and contributing to broader social and political changes. The focus of the Act was firmly rooted in ensuring equitable access to the electoral process, making it a landmark achievement in civil rights history.