Racial discrimination in voting has been a significant issue in Black history, particularly in the United States. Following the abolition of slavery and the Reconstruction era, African Americans gained the legal right to vote with the passage of the 15th Amendment in 1870. However, discriminatory practices such as literacy tests, poll taxes, and grandfather clauses were implemented to prevent Black people from exercising their right to vote.

These discriminatory practices were further strengthened by the Jim Crow laws in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which enforced racial segregation and disenfranchised African Americans. Violence, intimidation, and even murder were also used to suppress Black voters, particularly in the southern states.

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s played a crucial role in fighting against racial discrimination in voting. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of legislation that aimed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from voting. The Act prohibited literacy tests and other discriminatory practices, and required federal oversight of elections in areas with a history of voter suppression.

Despite these advancements, voter suppression continues to be a challenge in Black history and in present times. Efforts to restrict voting rights through voter ID laws, purging of voter rolls, and gerrymandering disproportionately affect minority communities, including African Americans. Activists and organizations continue to fight for fair and equal access to the ballot box for all citizens, regardless of race.