The Deconstruction of the VRA: Assessing Voting Practices and Legislation Moving Forward

Location

Room 217, Schewel Hall

Access Type

Campus Access Only

Entry Number

111

Start Date

4-5-2023 4:00 PM

End Date

4-5-2023 4:15 PM

College

Lynchburg College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Political Science

Abstract

Though founded on the voice of the people, the United States has a long and violent history of denying its citizens the fundamental right to vote. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was thus a landmark in civil rights legislation, establishing the right for all citizens to vote, including those previously disenfranchised based on their race. This thesis examines the state of voting rights, with specific regard to voting rights legislation, in the United States from the introduction of the Act in 1965 onward. Focusing on the protections offered and the measures instituted to combat discriminatory legislation, I analyze the effects of both the Act and the subsequent changes made to it. This thesis considers the voter registration statistics before the Voting Rights Act, during the years when it did not see considerable change, and after the Shelby County v. Holder (2013) decision; the prevalence and frequency of discriminatory voting legislation on a state-by-state basis; and the constitutionality of past and future voting rights legislation. This data combined with the surrounding scholarly discussion suggests that new legislation is necessary to combat the diminishing of voting rights for disenfranchised populations. As the Shelby County decision has removed a large portion of the federal oversight offered by the Act, the original effects and intention of the Voting Rights Act have been undermined; thus, new legislation that focuses on nationwide restructuring and federal regulation is necessary to protect all citizens' right to vote.

Faculty Mentor(s)

Dr. Dan Lang
Dr. Beth Savage
Dr. Edward DeClair

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Apr 5th, 4:00 PM Apr 5th, 4:15 PM

The Deconstruction of the VRA: Assessing Voting Practices and Legislation Moving Forward

Room 217, Schewel Hall

Though founded on the voice of the people, the United States has a long and violent history of denying its citizens the fundamental right to vote. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was thus a landmark in civil rights legislation, establishing the right for all citizens to vote, including those previously disenfranchised based on their race. This thesis examines the state of voting rights, with specific regard to voting rights legislation, in the United States from the introduction of the Act in 1965 onward. Focusing on the protections offered and the measures instituted to combat discriminatory legislation, I analyze the effects of both the Act and the subsequent changes made to it. This thesis considers the voter registration statistics before the Voting Rights Act, during the years when it did not see considerable change, and after the Shelby County v. Holder (2013) decision; the prevalence and frequency of discriminatory voting legislation on a state-by-state basis; and the constitutionality of past and future voting rights legislation. This data combined with the surrounding scholarly discussion suggests that new legislation is necessary to combat the diminishing of voting rights for disenfranchised populations. As the Shelby County decision has removed a large portion of the federal oversight offered by the Act, the original effects and intention of the Voting Rights Act have been undermined; thus, new legislation that focuses on nationwide restructuring and federal regulation is necessary to protect all citizens' right to vote.