The right to vote has been a crucial issue in Black history, as African Americans have faced numerous obstacles and barriers in exercising this fundamental democratic right. Following the abolition of slavery in the United States, the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1870, granting Black men the right to vote. However, discriminatory practices such as poll taxes, literacy tests, and intimidation tactics were used to prevent African Americans from voting in many states, especially in the South.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of legislation that aimed to combat racial discrimination in voting. It provided federal oversight of elections in states with a history of voter suppression and prohibited practices like literacy tests. The Voting Rights Act greatly increased African American participation in the political process and helped to secure the right to vote for all citizens regardless of race.

Despite these advancements, voter suppression tactics continue to be a challenge for African American voters today, with issues such as voter ID laws, voter roll purges, and closures of polling places disproportionately affecting minority communities. The fight for voting rights in Black history is an ongoing struggle for equal access to the ballot box and fair representation in the democratic process.