What if we told you that just a few decades ago, some people had to take a literacy test or pay a fee just to vote? That if you were Black, or poor, or from an immigrant community, you could be harassed at the polls or denied the ballot altogether?
President Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law on August 6th, 1965
That’s what the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was designed to stop.
Let’s travel back in time for a second. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was one the biggest victories of the civil rights movement in the ‘60s. While Black Americans had already won the legal right to vote, in practice, a range of tactics were used to block them from casting a ballot — like poll taxes, literacy tests, intimidation, and unfair rules.
This was called voter disenfranchisement — a word that simply means taking away someone’s right to vote, even when the law says they should have it.
The Voting Rights Act was created to stop this kind of discrimination. It made those racist tactics illegal and gave the federal government power to prevent them before they could affect an election. Over time, the law expanded to protect rural voters, Native communities, students, people with disabilities, non-English speakers, and naturalized citizens, bringing us closer to a real “one person, one vote” democracy.
Why it Matters
The Voting Rights Act has been a powerful shield against laws designed to silence voters. It helped block racist gerrymandering, stopped last-minute rule changes meant to confuse voters, and led to fairer representation.
In the decade after the act passed, the voter registration gap between Black and white voters in the South dropped from nearly 30 percentage points to just 8. Communities that had been shut out of the process finally got a seat at the table and started electing leaders who reflected their values and their residents. By 1971, there were 14 Black members of Congress.
This law was effective and popular. Congress kept reauthorizing it, again and again. The last time was in 2006, and it passed unanimously in the Senate and was signed by President Bush. It’s rare for anything to get that kind of total support — but the Voting Rights Act did.
What's the threat?
In recent years, key protections in the Voting Rights Act have been gutted by the Supreme Court. That opened the door to new laws that make it harder for people to vote, especially young voters, people of color, and low-income communities.
Since then, we’ve seen:
- Hundreds of polling places closed
- Stricter voter ID laws
- Reduced early voting hours
- More voter roll purges
- Confusing rules for students, especially those without in-state IDs
And it’s getting worse. In just the first half of 2025, over 100 laws restricting voting access were passed across the country, affecting nearly 60 million eligible voters.
The systems that once protected our rights are being rolled back. That’s why we need action now.
A Path Forward: The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
There’s a way to restore and expand the power of the Voting Rights Act. The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act is a federal bill that would bring back the core protections of the original legislation, with a more modern take. It would:
- Require federal oversight of new voting laws in places with a history of discrimination
- Make it easier to challenge voter suppression in court
- Protect voters from voter roll purges, strict ID requirements, and confusing registration rules
- Help ensure maps are drawn fairly — not for partisan advantage
It’s named for the late Congressman and civil rights legend Rep. John Lewis, who nearly died marching for voting rights in Selma. This bill honors his legacy.
You’re Part of This Story
Every time one of our volunteers helps someone register to vote at a concert or festival, they’re continuing the legacy of the Voting Rights Act. Every time someone checks their voter registration or learns how to vote by mail, it’s a step toward a more inclusive democracy. We help close the gap.
At HeadCount, we know that young people are powerful — but we also know they face real barriers to voting. That’s why we meet them where they are, online and in real life, with clear, trustworthy info in English and Spanish. We bring joy, music, and community into the civic process.
Take Action To Celebrate 60 Years of the Voting Rights Act
- Check your voter registration status.
- If you have free time and want to see free shows, sign up to volunteer with HeadCount.
- If you can and want to support our mission, make a donation today.
So today, as we celebrate 60 years of the Voting Rights Act, we’re clear: there’s more work to be done. We’re ready to keep showing up, registering young people to vote, and advocating for policies that protect everyone’s ballot access. When every voice can be heard, we make better decisions, build more trust, and create a future that truly reflects all of us.