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 exercising their right to vote as guaranteed by the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 6, 1965, in response to widespread racial discrimination and disenfranchisement faced by Black voters, particularly in the southern states.

Key provisions of the Voting Rights Act included the prohibition of discriminatory voting practices such as literacy tests and poll taxes, as well as the authorization of federal oversight of voter registration and election procedures in areas with a history of voter suppression. The Act also empowered the federal government to take legal action against jurisdictions that engaged in discriminatory practices and provided for the enforcement of voting rights protections.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 played a crucial role in increasing African American voter registration and participation, helping to dismantle systemic barriers to political representation for Black communities. It is considered a major victory of the Civil Rights Movement and a significant step towards achieving greater equality and justice for all Americans. The Act has been reauthorized several times since its passage, most recently in 2006, although key provisions were weakened by a Supreme Court ruling in 2013. Efforts to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act continue to be a focus of advocacy for voting rights and racial equality in the United States.