When Did Black People Get the Right to Vote in the US and Why 

Imagine a situation where you walk into a voting booth, cast your ballot, and leave without any form of problem or hassle as a Black American. While you may think that has always been the norm, it wasn’t always so. A few centuries back, a Black person trying to vote ran the risk of getting hurt or losing their life in the process.

For millions of Black Americans, voting has not always been a guaranteed or safe right. Behind this simple civic act lies a deep and painful history of struggle, resistance, and, ultimately, triumph. 

A look into when, how, and why Black people became eligible to vote will help not only appreciate this right but also protect it. It’s a reminder that each generation faces a unique version of this fight, and every vote that is cast by a Black person carries the weight of millions of Black people who never had the chance to exercise their right to vote. 

The Fight for African American Voting Rights

The journey to give voting rights to Black Americans started with the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which took place in 1868. While Blacks were granted the right of citizenship, yet, this amendment did not actually translate into voting ability in reality. Black men were still turned away and prevented from voting at many polling places. 

However, in 1870, the 15th Amendment of the Constitution came into being. In this amendment, it was stated that no one should be denied the right to vote as a result of their “race, color or previous condition of servitude.” For the first time, African American males were granted the legal right to vote. Although there was still much ground to cover in the journey towards political equality, the 15th Amendment represents a major step in ensuring equal political rights for all citizens regardless of their skin color. 

Notwithstanding what the 15th Amendment represented, there were still a lot of loopholes that made it ineffective in practice. Many southern states were able to work around it by coming up with laws and practices that disenfranchised black citizens.

Early Gains and Swift Backlash Following the 15th Amendment 

After the ratification of the 15th Amendment, some African American males were elected into public offices in Southern states. While this may seem to be a major victory, it didn’t continue for long because of some state discriminatory laws and actions of white supremacist groups. 

Practices like poll taxes, grandfather clauses, literacy tests, and even outright violence were employed to keep Black voters from exercising their voting rights in Southern states. But it didn’t end at that. Voter intimidation and lynching by the Ku Klux Klan and other White supremacist groups prevented many people from Black communities from exercising their voting rights. Some Black voters lost their jobs while others were forcefully sent out from their homes for attempting to vote. 

Even when African Americans were able to come up with poll taxes and pass literacy tests, local registrars could still find ways to stop them from voting. The laws that Black people needed to adhere to before they could be allowed to vote differed from county to county. More so, these laws could change without notice. It is, therefore, no surprise that Black voters were not able to comply. The hopes of equal voting rights, irrespective of color, raised by the 15th Amendment remained unattainable for almost a century.

Jim Crow Laws and its Effect on Black Voters

The Jim Crow laws were one major way Southern states successfully prevented African Americans from exercising their civic right to vote. With the Jim Crow laws, it was nearly impossible for Black people to register for voting, not to talk of casting their votes.

Under the Jim Crow laws, Blacks were mandated to take a literacy test. The questions asked were most times impossible questions that were difficult to answer. Black voters were required to recite sections of the constitution as a requirement to qualify to vote. The obvious intent was to confuse and disqualify applicants. But that was not all. Voters were required to pay a poll tax that many Blacks could not afford, which acted as an economic barrier for many voters. 

In 1986, the racist ruling of the Supreme Court in Plessy v. Ferguson further gave steam to segregation against the Blacks. Through this ruling, states and local governments were allowed to use segregation laws to limit Black voter participation. 

The Civil Rights Movement and the Voting Rights Act of 1965

1965 marked a turning point for the Black community. Many protests were staged to demand civic rights for Blacks, including the right to vote. While many of these protests were peaceful, some weren’t. For example, Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama, is one that will not be forgotten. 

The Selma March was a result of the death of Jimmie Lee Jackson, a civil rights activist who died because of police brutality. The March began in Selma with 600 protesters intending to get to Montgomery to confront Governor Wallace. The protest went well until they got to Edmund Pettus Bridge, where they were extremely beaten up by state troopers. This captured national attention.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with other leaders, pushed tirelessly for federal legislation. They organized marches, led voter registration drives, and brought national attention to the widespread disenfranchisement of Black Americans. King’s leadership during the Selma campaign played an important role in mobilizing public support. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a major triumph for the civil rights movement.

What Did the Voting Rights Act Accomplish?

The Voting Rights Act banned the literacy test as well as other discriminatory practices that were used to prevent Black voters from voting. And for the first time, African Americans in the South could vote without fear of being blocked or harassed. 

As should be expected, more Black citizens registered to vote, and participation in the electoral process by Blacks increased considerably. Also, the number of candidates from Black communities running for and winning elections increased. 

The Voting Rights Act was a very powerful tool that brought to an end the systematic disenfranchisement of Blacks. Instead of leaving the enrolment of voters in the hands of hostile local officials, federal examiners were sent to the South to register voters directly. In no time, thousands of Black voters were enrolled. 

Modern Battles for the Ballot: Is the Fight Really Over?

Shelby County v. Holder (2013) and Its Impact

In 2013, the Supreme Court made changes to section 4 of the Voting Rights Act. The court’s ruling in Shelby County v. Holder is that the formula used to determine which states require federal oversight was outdated. As a result, those states no longer needed to get approval before changing voting laws. This ruling swung open the door for states to make restrictive laws that may disproportionately affect Black voters.

Truly, there has been a decline in voter suppression generally. However, there are still so many factors in play that affect Black voter participation. Things like gerrymandering, felony disenfranchisement, and limited early voting access. 

In states with large minorities, for instance, the implementation of voter ID laws may disproportionately affect communities of color. Also, a change in polling locations and hours can discourage turnout. One can not leave out the disinformation campaign carried out through different social media platforms, which targets Black voters and creates a high level of distrust in the electoral system.

In some states, absentee ballot restrictions make it challenging for elderly and disabled Black voters who rely on mail-in voting to exercise their civic rights. There have also been cases of language barriers as well as a lack of multilingual resources. This no doubt lowers participation in different communities. 

Why the Right to Vote Is Still a Civil Rights Issue

Voting is more than a political act for Blacks but rather a strong statement of equality, dignity, and inclusion. For Black Americans, each vote cast is a tribute to the generations who fought and died for that right. It is a reminder that all men have equal rights before the law, notwithstanding the color of their skin.

When voting rights are protected, it helps to ensure that elections are fair and the people who occupy elective positions are truly a representation of every voice in our democracy. 

Important Timelines in Black Voting Rights

• 1870: The 15th Amendment was ratified
• 1890s: Start of widespread Jim Crow laws
• 1965: Passage of the Voting Rights Act
• 2013: Shelby County v. Holder weakens the Act
• Present: Renewed advocacy for voting rights protection

Conclusion: Your Vote Is Their Legacy

For Black communities, the right to vote wasn’t cheaply gotten. It was earned through blood, sweat, and struggle. Many lives were lost in the journey of political emancipation for Blacks. 

Every election is, therefore, an opportunity to honor that legacy. When you vote, you stand on the shoulders of those who faced beatings, jail, and death to make your voice heard. So vote. And make sure everyone you know does, too. Because the fight isn’t over, and your vote still matters.

FAQs About Black Voting Rights in the US

What year did Black women get the right to vote?

Black women gained the right to vote in 1920 with the 19th Amendment, unlike their male counterparts. However, because of discriminatory practices, many Black women were unable to exercise this civil right until the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

What are current threats to Black voting rights?

Modern threats to Black voting rights include voter ID laws, polling place closures, limited early voting, and voter roll purges. These practices disproportionately affect communities of color.

Why was the Voting Rights Act necessary after the 15th Amendment?

The Voting Rights Acts was necessary because although the 15th Amendment granted Black Americans the right to vote, many states were still able to prevent many from voting and found ways to bypass the 15th Amendment through discriminatory laws. The Voting Rights Act added enforcement power to ensure real protections.

What’s being done to protect voting rights today?

Organizations and lawmakers continue to fight for new federal voting rights protections, including the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act.

Written by Juliet (Chisom) I.