Registration urged to mark Voting Rights Act anniversary

But, because it was so close to the November elections, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that elections could go forward with the law in effect.

That’s something to ponder as we mark 50 years of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 – landmark legislation in this country.

“We will not, and we shall not, stop until victory is won”, Sweet-Love said.

“The Voting Rights Act, the culmination of so much blood, so much sweat and tears, the product of so much sacrifice in the face of wanton violence, the Voting Rights Act stands weakened, its future subject to political rancor”, Obama said in the Selma speech. It requires voters to bring a government-issued photo ID.

President Barack Obama says all Americans owe a debt to the sharecroppers and maids and ordinary Americans who were fearless enough to try time and again to register to vote in the face of violence and oppression.

“This is a common sense law that helps keep Texas elections fair and honest, and it has been applied to numerous elections statewide with no problem, so we’re confident when the judicial process finally ends the law should be upheld”, says Simpson.

The League of Women Voters of the Bartlesville Area will host a voter registration event on September 22 at the Bartlesville Public Library, where volunteers will provide detailed information on topics ranging from new voter registration, precincts and access to non-partisan candidate information. That part of the law affected states with especially egregious histories of disenfranchising voters.

Lynch also emphasized the Justice Department’s dedication to enforcing the Voting Rights Act when states try to create discriminatory voter laws.

The national commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act takes place against the backdrop of a devastating full-scale assault on the civil rights movement’s signature legislation.

In addition to commemorating the Voting Rights Act, Secretary Merrill will honor civil rights attorney Fred Gray, on August 12, 2015. In 2013, the Supreme Court struck down Section 4, which had required Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia to seek federal approval before imposing changes to voter laws.

U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-Columbia, said Wednesday during a meeting with reporters in Columbia, that congressional lawmakers must move forward with efforts to update that formula, restoring the federal oversight of voting laws.