Why was the Voting Rights Act of 1965 necessary?

Question

Select all that apply.
Each citizen must be ruled by the same laws.
Each citizen must be able to participate in
government.
Each citizen must have the protections of the Bill of
Rights.
Each citizen must have equal voting power in federal
elections.
Each citizen must complete a test or pay a tax to be
registered to vote.

Answer 1

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was necessary for the following reasons:

1. Each citizen must be able to participate in government.
2. Each citizen must have equal voting power in federal elections.

The Act aimed to eliminate barriers that prevented African Americans and other minority groups from voting, ensuring that all citizens had the opportunity to participate equally in the democratic process. The other options listed, such as the need for citizens to be ruled by the same laws and protections from the Bill of Rights, are important principles but are not the direct reasons for the need for the Voting Rights Act. The requirement for testing or taxes to register to vote also represents barriers that the Act sought to eliminate.