The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was necessary for several reasons. The two correct answers highlighting its importance are:
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To eliminate racial discrimination in voting: Prior to the Act, various discriminatory practices, such as literacy tests and poll taxes, were used to disenfranchise African American voters and other minority groups, particularly in the South.
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To enforce the voting rights guaranteed by the 15th Amendment: Although the 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, granted African American men the right to vote, many states found ways to circumvent this right. The Voting Rights Act aimed to enforce this constitutional right and ensure that all citizens could exercise their right to vote without discrimination.
These measures were crucial in addressing systemic inequalities and protecting the voting rights of all Americans.