VRA Timeline
Download the latest ACLU reports on the Voting Rights Act at www.aclu.org

VRA TIMELINE: March 7, 2006

On March 7th, 1965, voting rights marchers in Selma were viciously attacked by Alabama state police while peacefully protesting for the right to vote. On March 7, 2006, the 41st anniversary of "Bloody Sunday, the ACLU launched its campaign, “Every voice. Every vote. Renew the Voting Rights Act” with the release of two comprehensive reports documenting continuing discrimination in voting against racial minorities and the key policy issues associated with renewal of the expiring provisions of the VRA. Both reports are available for download at www.aclu.org. The ACLU will also conduct a nation-wide tour to discuss the Voting Rights Act reauthorization in Birmingham, Alabama, Nashville, Tennessee, Austin, Texas and in South Carolina. ACLU staff will be touring these cities throughout March to raise awareness of voting rights through the “Every Voice. Every Vote. Renew the Voting Rights Act” campaign. COMPREHENSIVE VRA TIMELINE »
Clean and Swift: Voting Rights Act Renewal Does Historic Law Justice

In July 2006, the Senate reauthorized the Voting Rights Act on a vote of 98 to 0. President Bush then signed into law the "Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006." Congress rejected attempts to dilute the original intent of the bill and passed a "clean" reauthorization bill, which renews key provisions that would otherwise have expired in 2007. MORE ABOUT THE VRA »

SECTION 5

Protects voters by requiring that states with a documented history of discriminatory voting practices and low voter turnout submit planned changes in their election laws or procedures to federal officials or judges for prior approval... READ MORE » 		  SECTION 203

Provides important tools to ensure fundamental fairness in the voting process for language minority groups whose proficiency in English has been limited because of discrimination and barriers to literacy... READ MORE » 		  SECTION 6 to 9

Gives the U.S. Attorney General the authority to send federal observers to monitor elections... READ MORE » FIND OUT HOW EXPIRATION OF THESE VRA SECTIONS AFFECT YOU IN YOUR STATE!

Report discriminatory voting practices toll-free! Contact the Voting Section of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division at 800-253-3931.

 rrail_3lines.gif
Take Action

Voting Rights Act Renewal Legislation Passes U.S. Senate 98-0! Tremendous Victory for Voting Rights Advocates & All Americans. Legislation Renews VRA Provisions for 25 Years. Bush signs VRA into law!


Click here for information detailing which states are impacted by the expiring provisions of the Voting Rights Act
ACLU Applauds Introduction of Voting Rights Act Reauthorization Legislation MORE VRA NEWS »

For press inquiries please contact: media@dcaclu.org media@aclu.org Media inquiries only

To contact the ACLU Voting Rights Project contact: vrpaclu@aol.com