# Voting Rights Act Definition

> The 1965 Voting Rights Act bans racial discrimination in voting and protects ballot access.
- Title: Voting Rights Act Definition · USAFacts | Shortify
- Summary: The 1965 Voting Rights Act bans racial discrimination in voting and protects ballot access. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibits racial discrimination in…
- Keywords: voting rights act, 15th amendment, federal law, section 2, covered jurisdictions, preclearance, news, politics, money, Voting, Rights, Act
- Source: USAFacts — https://usafacts.org/articles/voting-rights-act-definition
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: voting rights act, 15th amendment, federal law, section 2, covered jurisdictions, preclearance, news, politics, money
## What is the Voting Rights Act?
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibits racial discrimination in voting and helps protect access to the ballot.
## When was it signed?
Congress passed the Voting Rights Act on August 6, 1965, to enforce the 15th Amendment.
## Who enforces it?
The Department of Justice enforces the Voting Rights Act.
## What does it cover?
The law sets rules for the whole country and extra rules for covered states and counties.
## How does it work?
Covered states and counties banned literacy tests and other voter tests, requiring preclearance for rule changes.
## What changed in 2026?
In Louisiana v. Callais on April 29, 2026, the Supreme Court narrowed Section 2 in redistricting cases.
## Key takeaway

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibits racial discrimination in voting and helps protect access to the ballot.