The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a landmark piece of federal legislation in the United States that aimed to secure and protect the right to vote for African Americans and other minority groups. The Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 6, 1965, marking a turning point in the civil rights movement.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibited discriminatory voting practices such as literacy tests, poll taxes, and other barriers that were used to disenfranchise African American voters. It also authorized federal oversight of elections in states with a history of voter suppression, particularly in the Southern states where African Americans faced widespread discrimination and intimidation at the polls.

As a result of the Voting Rights Act, voter registration and turnout among African Americans and other minority groups increased significantly, leading to greater political representation and participation in the democratic process. The Act has been described as one of the most effective civil rights laws in US history and has had a lasting impact on ensuring equal access to the ballot box for all Americans, regardless of race or ethnicity.

In 2013, the Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act in the case of Shelby County v. Holder, which had required certain states to obtain federal approval before changing their voting laws. This decision has led to renewed efforts to protect voting rights and combat voter suppression in the United States, particularly in communities of color.