Racial discrimination in voting has been a pervasive issue throughout Black history in the United States. Following the Civil War and the passage of the 15th Amendment in 1870, which granted Black men the right to vote, many states implemented tactics to prevent African Americans from exercising this newly earned right. These tactics included literacy tests, poll taxes, grandfather clauses, intimidation, and violence.

In the South, Jim Crow laws enforced segregation and disenfranchisement of Black voters. This system of racial discrimination persisted well into the 20th century, preventing African Americans from fully participating in the political process. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a major milestone in the fight against racial discrimination in voting, as it sought to eliminate barriers such as literacy tests and poll taxes.

Despite the progress made with the Voting Rights Act, challenges to voting rights for African Americans continue to exist. Voter suppression tactics, such as strict voter ID laws, gerrymandering, and the closing of polling locations in minority communities, disproportionately affect Black voters.

The struggle for equal voting rights has been a central aspect of the civil rights movement and continues to be a critical issue in Black history. Efforts to combat racial discrimination in voting remain a key focus for civil rights organizations and individuals seeking to ensure that all citizens have equal access to the ballot box.