The History of the Voting Rights Act

Description: This quiz will test your knowledge of the history of the Voting Rights Act, a landmark piece of legislation that outlawed discriminatory voting practices in the United States.
Number of Questions: 14
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Tags: history law voting rights
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What was the name of the landmark Supreme Court case that declared unconstitutional the poll tax, a fee required to vote in some states?

  1. Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections

  2. Wesberry v. Sanders

  3. Baker v. Carr

  4. Reynolds v. Sims


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

In 1966, the Supreme Court ruled in Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections that the poll tax was unconstitutional because it violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

What was the name of the act that was passed in 1965 to enforce the Voting Rights Act?

  1. The Voting Rights Act of 1965

  2. The Civil Rights Act of 1964

  3. The Fair Housing Act of 1968

  4. The Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of legislation that outlawed discriminatory voting practices in the United States.

What was the name of the president who signed the Voting Rights Act into law?

  1. Lyndon B. Johnson

  2. John F. Kennedy

  3. Richard Nixon

  4. Jimmy Carter


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law on August 6, 1965.

What was the main purpose of the Voting Rights Act?

  1. To outlaw discriminatory voting practices

  2. To increase voter turnout

  3. To make it easier for people to register to vote

  4. To provide financial assistance to states for voter education


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The main purpose of the Voting Rights Act was to outlaw discriminatory voting practices, such as poll taxes, literacy tests, and grandfather clauses.

What was the impact of the Voting Rights Act?

  1. It increased voter turnout among African Americans

  2. It led to the election of more African Americans to public office

  3. It helped to end racial segregation in the South

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Voting Rights Act had a profound impact on American society. It increased voter turnout among African Americans, led to the election of more African Americans to public office, and helped to end racial segregation in the South.

What was the name of the Supreme Court case that upheld the constitutionality of the Voting Rights Act?

  1. South Carolina v. Katzenbach

  2. Oregon v. Mitchell

  3. Katzenbach v. Morgan

  4. Allen v. State Board of Elections


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

In 1966, the Supreme Court ruled in South Carolina v. Katzenbach that the Voting Rights Act was constitutional.

What was the name of the amendment to the Voting Rights Act that was passed in 1970?

  1. The Voting Rights Act Extension Act of 1970

  2. The Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1970

  3. The Voting Rights Act Reauthorization Act of 1970

  4. The Voting Rights Act Renewal Act of 1970


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1970 extended the Voting Rights Act for five years and added new provisions to strengthen its enforcement.

What was the name of the amendment to the Voting Rights Act that was passed in 1975?

  1. The Voting Rights Act Extension Act of 1975

  2. The Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1975

  3. The Voting Rights Act Reauthorization Act of 1975

  4. The Voting Rights Act Renewal Act of 1975


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1975 extended the Voting Rights Act for seven years and added new provisions to strengthen its enforcement.

What was the name of the amendment to the Voting Rights Act that was passed in 1982?

  1. The Voting Rights Act Extension Act of 1982

  2. The Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1982

  3. The Voting Rights Act Reauthorization Act of 1982

  4. The Voting Rights Act Renewal Act of 1982


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1982 extended the Voting Rights Act for 25 years and added new provisions to strengthen its enforcement.

What was the name of the amendment to the Voting Rights Act that was passed in 2006?

  1. The Voting Rights Act Extension Act of 2006

  2. The Voting Rights Act Amendments of 2006

  3. The Voting Rights Act Reauthorization Act of 2006

  4. The Voting Rights Act Renewal Act of 2006


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The Voting Rights Act Reauthorization Act of 2006 extended the Voting Rights Act for 25 years and added new provisions to strengthen its enforcement.

What was the name of the Supreme Court case that upheld the constitutionality of the Voting Rights Act Reauthorization Act of 2006?

  1. Shelby County v. Holder

  2. Northwest Austin Municipal Utility District No. 1 v. Holder

  3. Town of Villisca v. Holder

  4. Perry v. Perez


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled in Shelby County v. Holder that Section 4(b) of the Voting Rights Act was unconstitutional.

What was the impact of the Supreme Court's decision in Shelby County v. Holder?

  1. It made it easier for states to pass laws that restrict voting

  2. It led to a decrease in voter turnout among African Americans

  3. It made it more difficult for people to register to vote

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Supreme Court's decision in Shelby County v. Holder made it easier for states to pass laws that restrict voting, which led to a decrease in voter turnout among African Americans and made it more difficult for people to register to vote.

What is the current status of the Voting Rights Act?

  1. It is still in effect

  2. It has been repealed

  3. It is being challenged in court

  4. It is being debated in Congress


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The Voting Rights Act is currently being challenged in court. In 2021, a federal court in Texas ruled that the Voting Rights Act is unconstitutional. The case is currently being appealed to the Supreme Court.

What is the future of the Voting Rights Act?

  1. It is likely to be overturned by the Supreme Court

  2. It is likely to be upheld by the Supreme Court

  3. It is likely to be amended by Congress

  4. It is uncertain


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The future of the Voting Rights Act is uncertain. The Supreme Court is likely to rule on the constitutionality of the Voting Rights Act in the near future. It is also possible that Congress could amend the Voting Rights Act.

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