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Witness History: Who has the right to vote in America?

Documentaries

Who has the right to vote in America?

28/08/2020 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, Who has the right to vote in America?

The decision that quashed a key part of an electoral law designed to protect black voters

In 2013 the US Supreme Court struck down a key part of a landmark civil rights-era electoral law, the Voting Rights Act, designed to protect African-American voters.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965, a landmark civil rights-era electoral law was designed to protect African-American and other minority voters. It was introduced to remove the many obstacles that were in place to prevent African-Americans from being able to vote.  Many states, particularly in the south, used intimidation, local laws and so-called literacy tests to prevent black people from being able to register to vote. In 2010 Shelby County in Alabama attempted to overturn a key part of the law. In 2013 the US Supreme Court upheld their challenge. Now voters who are discriminated against bear the burden of proving they are disenfranchised.  Farhana Haider hears from civil rights attorney Kristen Clarke who fought to protect the Voting Rights Act.

Photo Washington DC June 25. Supporters of the Voting Rights Act  outside the U.S. Supreme Court. Credit Getty Images

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