@yourunclejoejoe912: It is unconstitutional to explicitly strip voting rights from Black Americans, but their voting rights can be undermined through systemic tactics that create discriminatory barriers to voting. Recent Supreme Court decisions have weakened the historic Voting Rights Act, leading to an increase in these practices. [1, 2, 3] Constitutional and historical context The 15th Amendment: Ratified in 1870, this amendment states that the right to vote "shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude". Post-Reconstruction rollback: Despite the 15th Amendment, southern states implemented laws like poll taxes, literacy tests, and "grandfather clauses" during the Jim Crow era to disenfranchise Black voters. These measures, along with intimidation and violence, effectively stripped Black communities of political power for decades. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA): Passed after years of advocacy and struggle, the VRA banned discriminatory voting practices and gave the federal government the power to enforce equal voting rights, leading to a major increase in Black voter registration. [4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9] Erosion of protections since 2013 In 2013, the Supreme Court's decision in Shelby County v. Holder invalidated a key provision of the VRA that required states with a history of discrimination to receive federal "preclearance" for any voting changes. Since then, over two dozen states have passed laws that create new barriers to voting, which disproportionately affect Black Americans and other minority groups. [3, 10, 11] Modern voter suppression tactics Contemporary methods of undermining voting rights are often subtle and enacted under the guise of preventing "voter fraud." These tactics include: Strict voter ID laws: These laws can disenfranchise Black, elderly, and low-income voters who are less likely to have the specific forms of identification required. Voter purges: Inaccurate or overzealous purges of voter rolls remove eligible voters who may not receive adequate notice that they have been removed from the list. Reduced polling places and hours: Cuts to polling sites and early voting hours can lead to long lines, especially in minority communities, creating significant burdens on voters. Racial gerrymandering: The manipulation of district lines can dilute the voting power of minority communities, a practice that civil rights groups frequently challenge in court. [1, 2, 11, 12, 13] Ongoing legal challenges Supreme Court review: The Supreme Court continues to review cases that could further limit protections under the Voting Rights Act. Current cases could affect the ability of individuals and organizations to enforce Section 2 of the VRA and could challenge the use of race-conscious remedies for voting violations. Renewed calls for action: Civil rights groups like the NAACP and ACLU continue to litigate against restrictive laws and advocate for federal legislation, such as the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, to restore and strengthen voting rights protections. [3, 7, 14] [1] https://afj.org/article/supreme-court-ready-to-gut-last-vestige-of-voting-rights-act/ [2] https://www.lwv.org/voting-rights/fighting-voter-suppression [3] https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/states-have-added-nearly-100-restrictive-laws-scotus-gutted-voting-rights [4] https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-resources/essays/right-deferred-african-american-voter-suppression-after-reconstruction [5] https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2021/05/politics/black-voting-rights-suppression-timeline/ [6] https://www.archives.gov/research/african-americans/vote [7] https://naacp.org/find-resources/history-explained/legislative-milestones/voting-rights-act-1965 [8] https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/15th-amendment [9] https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/voting-rights-act

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Wednesday 22 October 2025 14:07:53 GMT