Table of Contents
What was removed from the Voting Rights Act of 1965?
It outlawed the discriminatory voting practices adopted in many southern states after the Civil War, including literacy tests as a prerequisite to voting. This “act to enforce the fifteenth amendment to the Constitution” was signed into law 95 years after the amendment was ratified.
What happens on June 25th 2013 at the Supreme Court with regards to this voting rights issue?
Opinion of the Supreme Court The Supreme Court struck down Section 4(b) as unconstitutional in a June 25, 2013, ruling. The Court declared that the Fifteenth Amendment “commands that the right to vote shall not be denied or abridged on account of race or color, and it gives Congress the power to enforce that command.
What is Section 4b of the Voting Rights Act?
Congress enacted the Voting Rights Act in 1965. Section 4 bans all tests or devices, such as literacy and knowledge tests, moral-character requirements, and the need for vouchers from registered voters.
Is Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act unconstitutional?
On June 25, 2013, the United States Supreme Court held that it is unconstitutional to use the coverage formula in Section 4(b) of the Voting Rights Act to determine which jurisdictions are subject to the preclearance requirement of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, Shelby County v. Holder, 133 S. 2612 (2013).
Why was the Voting Rights Act necessary in 1965?
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 offered African Americans a way to get around the barriers at the state and local levels that had prevented them from exercising their 15th Amendment right to vote. After it was signed into law by LBJ, Congress amended it five more times to expand its scope and offer more protections.
How many Democrats are in the House of Representatives?
Per states
| State | Total seats | Democratic |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | ||
| California | 53 | 42 |
| Colorado | 7 | 4 |
| Connecticut | 5 | 5 |