Black voting rights have been a significant and ongoing struggle throughout Black history in the United States. Following the Civil War and the abolition of slavery, the Reconstruction Amendments (13th, 14th, and 15th) were passed to grant Black Americans citizenship, equal protection under the law, and voting rights.

However, the promise of these amendments was short-lived as southern states implemented discriminatory practices such as poll taxes, literacy tests, and grandfather clauses to prevent Black people from voting. These barriers were further reinforced by intimidation tactics such as violence and the Ku Klux Klan.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of federal legislation that aimed to overcome these obstacles and eliminate discriminatory voting practices. It prohibited racial discrimination in voting and authorized federal oversight of state and local elections in areas with a history of voter suppression. The VRA has been instrumental in protecting the voting rights of Black Americans and ensuring greater access to the ballot box.

Despite these advancements, challenges to Black voting rights continue to persist today, with issues such as gerrymandering, voter ID laws, and voter suppression tactics disproportionately impacting Black communities. The fight for equal and fair voting rights remains an important issue in Black history and in the broader struggle for civil rights and racial equality.