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Reauthorizing the Voting Rights Act

• The Voting Rights Act
• Why is the Voting Rights Act important today?
• What is happening in 2006
• Getting the Word Out
• How to contact Congress
• Resources

There is no democracy without the right to vote. The Voting Rights Act is an important tool that creates a means for protecting and enforcing minority voting rights. It became law in 1965 to prevent serious acts of violence or other racial and language barriers used against African Americans who attempted to vote. The law was passed due to the brave protests of African Americans and their allies during the Civil Rights Movement to dramatize the need for the nation to finally live up to its promise of democracy. The events of "Bloody Sunday" in Selma, Alabama, on March 6, 1965, where police viciously beat up peaceful protestors, were the final push that made the law pass.

The Voting Rights Act:

• bans literacy tests for voting and prohibits intimidation during elections.
• provides the right for minorities to participate in the political process.
• authorizes federal election examiners and observers to go to polling sites when it is suspected that the voting rights of minorities are being abused.

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Why is the Voting Rights Act important today?

This law continues to preserve the rights of minorities to participate in the political process. It is responsible for increasing the number of African Americans and other racial minorities elected to public office. Today there are over 9,000 Black elected officials, which is more than six times the number elected in 1970.

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What is happening in 2006?

The Voting Rights Act is permanent, but three important provisions of the Voting Rights Act will expire if not renewed by 2007. These provisions are:

• Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act is a provision of particular importance to the African American community. Section 5 requires states with the worst histories of racial discrimination in voting to seek approval (or "pre-clearance") from the federal government before implementing any voting change. Section 5 applies to all or part of 16 states, most of which are in the South. It is important that Section 5 be renewed.
  
  
• Section 203 requires certain states and counties with significant numbers of citizens with limited English proficiency to provide voting assistance in languages other than English. Section 203 offers assistance to four language minority groups: American Indians, Asian Americans, Alaskan Natives, and Latinos.
  
  
• Sections 6-9 permit the Attorney General to appoint examiners and send federal observers to monitor elections where an anticipated Voting Rights Act violation may occur at the ballot box.

This issue is now being heard in the U.S. House of Representatives and is likely to be voted on in the House and the Senate within the next three to six months.

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IT IS IMPORTANT TO GET THE WORD OUT ON THIS ISSUE!

• Write letters to the editor and educate your community about the Voting Rights Act and its reauthorization.
  
  
• All members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives need to hear this message:
  "The Voting Rights Act has been one of the most effective pieces of civil rights legislation. It will be coming befor the U.S. House and Senate this year. I ask you to vote to renew and restore the Voting Rights Act, to ensure the greatest protection of our right to vote!"

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How to contact Congress:

• Congressional Switchboard - for calls to Senators or Representatives: (202) 224-3121
  
  
• House Website (with links to individual House members' sites): http://www.house.gov/
  
  
• Senate Website (with contact information for individual Senators): http://www.senate.gov

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Resources

You can find additional information and updates on Voting Rights Act legislative and public education developments at the following Web sites. Check them periodically for new information, forums, and ways to get involved.

• Leadership Conference on Civil Rights - http://www.renewthevra.civilrights.org/
  
  
• NAACP Legal Defense Fund - http://www.naacpldf.org.

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