Voting rights have been a crucial issue in Black history in the United States. From the time of slavery through the civil rights movement and up to the present day, African Americans have fought for the right to vote and to have their voices heard in the political process.

During the Reconstruction era following the Civil War, the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed in 1870, granting African American men the right to vote. However, this right was often denied or restricted by discriminatory practices such as literacy tests, poll taxes, and intimidation tactics. These barriers led to low voter turnout among Black Americans for many years.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a major milestone in the struggle for voting rights. This landmark piece of legislation aimed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote. The act banned discriminatory voting practices, such as literacy tests, and provided federal oversight of election procedures in states with a history of racial discrimination.

Despite these gains, challenges to voting rights persist today, including voter suppression efforts, gerrymandering, and restrictions on early voting and voter ID requirements. Voting rights continue to be a central issue in the ongoing fight for racial equality and social justice in the United States.