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Ford Renews VRA (1975)
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About this event
#OnThisDay in 1965, Johnson signed the Voter Rights Act (VRA). In addition on this same day in 1975, Ford signs a 7-yr renewal. The #VRA is a landmark federal law enacted in 1965 to remove race-based restrictions on voting.
** UPDATE: The VRA was successfully challenged in June 2013 (Shelby County, Alabama v. Holder). The Supreme Court struck down (in a 5-4 ruling) Section 4(b) as outdated and not “grounded in current conditions.” Consequently, Section 5 is intact, but inoperable, unless or until Congress prescribes a new Section 4 formula. **
Timeline:
1965 - Johnson signs VRA
1970 - Nixon signs 5-yr renewal
1975 - Ford signs 7-yr renewal
1982 - Reagan signs 25-yr renewal
2006 - Bush signs 25-yr renewal
2013 - Shelby v. Holder challenges VRA
Learn more: https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R43626.pdf
Resources:
Johnson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNjlwwf2K9g&feature=youtu.be
Nixon: https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/statement-signing-the-voting-rights-act-amendments-1970
Ford: https://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/document/0005/1561605.pdf
Reagan: https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/research/speeches/62982b
Bush: https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2006/07/20060727.html
Shelby v. Holder: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/12pdf/12-96_6k47.pdf
VRA Timeline: https://www.aclu.org/voting-rights-act-major-dates-history
Prior challenges: https://www.usccr.gov/pubs/msdelta/ch3.htm
Current status: https://www.usccr.gov/pubs/2018/Minority_Voting_Access_2018.pdf
Category
Historical Dates
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