Voting Rights Act

American  

[voh-ting rahyts akt] / ˈvoʊ tɪŋ ˈraɪts ˌækt /

noun

U.S. Government.

1. a law enacted in 1965 that prohibited racially discriminatory voting practices, such as poll taxes and literacy tests, appointed federal examiners to facilitate voter registration among members of minority groups, and established federal oversight over election administration. VRA

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Example Sentences

Strong majorities of Californians believe democracy is under attack and support enacting a new state Voting Rights Act to prohibit discrimination and efforts to suppress voting, a poll showed.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026

The Voting Rights Act, after all, was reauthorized nearly unanimously by a Republican Congress and president, George W. Bush, in 2006.

From Salon • May 9, 2026

Roemer before the Supreme Court, a case that successfully argued that Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act also applies to judicial elections.

From Slate • May 7, 2026

The court held that the legislative determination creating a powerful nonwhite majority was justified by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026

The Voting Rights Act also allowed federal observers to review voter qualifications and monitor polling places.

From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson