The right to vote has been a long and hard-fought battle for African Americans throughout history. Following the Civil War and the passage of the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1870, which prohibited the denial of voting rights based on race, African Americans technically had the legal right to vote. However, many states in the South implemented various tactics such as poll taxes, literacy tests, and intimidation to prevent Black people from exercising their right to vote.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of legislation that aimed to address these issues and eliminate discriminatory voting practices. The Act outlawed literacy tests and other barriers to voting, and authorized federal oversight of voter registration in areas with a history of voter suppression.

Despite these advancements, challenges to voting rights for African Americans continue to this day, with issues such as voter ID laws, gerrymandering, and the disenfranchisement of formerly incarcerated individuals disproportionately affecting Black voters.

Black activists and leaders such as Fannie Lou Hamer, John Lewis, and Stacey Abrams have continued the fight for voting rights, recognizing the importance of political participation and representation in achieving racial equality and justice. The struggle for the right to vote remains a central issue in Black history, highlighting the ongoing fight for equality and justice in the United States.