The Voting Rights Act and Enforcement

Chapter 40 of the CLEP American Government study guide on Effortless Math covers Voting Rights Act: the key terms, the core ideas, and worked examples showing how this topic is tested on the exam.

CLEP American Government, Chapter 40

Voting Rights Act

A device could avoid naming race while being designed or administered to exclude Black citizens. Case-by-case lawsuits removed some barriers, but officials could replace one device with another. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 responded with stronger federal rules and remedies. The 1965 Act suspended specified tests and devices in jurisdictions covered by its formula; the 1970 amendments extended the prohibition on those tests and devices nationwide. The Act also attacked racial discrimination in registration and voting through provisions with different scopes and remedies.

After Shelby County, a plaintiff may still bring an appropriate nationwide Section 2 claim or constitutional challenge after a rule is adopted, and Section 3(c) may authorize court-ordered preclearance on the required finding of intentional discrimination. A decision about one provision or one remedy should never be converted into repeal of the entire Voting Rights Act.