The history of black voter suppression in the United States is a deeply rooted legacy that has shaped the country’s political landscape. From the days of Jim Crow laws to modern tactics like gerrymandering and voter ID requirements, efforts to disenfranchise black voters have evolved but remain persistent. The journey of black Americans reflects their ongoing struggle for voting rights, the progress that has been made and the significant challenges that remain.

After the civil war 15th Amendment was ratified in 1870 and granted black men the right to vote – not women. However, this legal victory was quickly undermined by the introduction of Jim Crow laws in the South. These laws were designed to maintain white supremacy by systematically disenfranchising black citizens through tactics such as literacy tests, poll taxes and grandfather clauses. The infamous “white primary school“The system further entrenched racial discrimination by allowing only white voters to participate in the primaries, thereby de facto excluding black voters from the political process.

The civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s marked a turning point. Activists like Fannie Lou Hamera sharecropper from Mississippi, played a crucial role in fighting these injustices. Hamer co-founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP) in 1964 to challenge the all-white delegation at the Democratic National Convention. Her powerful testimony about the violence and intimidation she faced when trying to register to vote became the movement’s rallying cry. In 1965, the Voting Rights Act was passed, removing many of the obstacles to voting rights, but the fight for equal voting rights was far from over.

In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled in Shelby County v. Holder weakened the Voting Rights Act by repealing key provisions that required certain states with a history of discrimination to seek federal approval before changing their election laws. This decision opened the door to a wave of new voter suppression measures, including stricter voter ID laws and voter roll purges that disproportionately affect black voters.

The Lone Star State is a recent example. In 2023, Texas launched an effort to take control of the electoral system of Harris County, an area around Houston that consistently votes blue. The Texas House of Representatives passed SB1750 in a caucus vote after it passed the Senate. This law forces counties with a population over 3.5 million – only Harris County meets this threshold – to eliminate the role of election supervisor and return election responsibility to the elected county clerk and tax collector. Many other states have joined in with these anti-voting rights laws.

Another glaring example is the disenfranchisement of felons. Across the country, millions of Americans who have completed their sentences for serious convictions are barred from voting. A referendum in Florida in 2018 gave many former prisoners back their right to vote. Yet the state legislature quickly passed a law requiring them to pay all fines and fees before regaining the right to vote. This “Poll tax” has prevented thousands of Floridians, including a disproportionate number of Black people, from voting. The movement to restore voting rights to former prisoners continues to gain momentum, with activists pushing for reforms that would allow more people to make their voices heard at the ballot box.

Black women have long been at the forefront of the fight for voting rights, and their contributions remain critical to the political landscape today. Stacey Abrams And LaTosha Brown are two modern leaders who have continued Fannie Lou Hamer’s legacy by educating and mobilizing voters, especially in the South.

Abrams, a former gubernatorial candidate in Georgia, founded Fair fighting actionan organization dedicated to fighting voter suppression and ensuring free and fair elections. Their work in Georgia was critical to flipping the state Democratic in the 2020 presidential election and securing Democrats’ control of the U.S. Senate.

LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Fund for Black Votershas been instrumental in increasing voter turnout in black communities in the South. Her organization focuses on increasing grassroots power and ensuring that black voters have a voice in the political process. Like Fannie Lou Hamer before her, Brown understands that the fight for voting rights isn’t just about voting; it’s about ensuring that black communities have the power to shape their future.

As we look to the future, it is of paramount importance to remember that voting is not just a privilege, but a fundamental right that must be protected for all citizens. The history of voter suppression reminds us that the pursuit of equality is an ongoing effort, and it is up to each of us to protect the progress made and prevent regression.

Clay Cane is a SiriusXM radio host and author of the New York Times bestseller The Fraud: The Downward Spiral of Black Republicans From the Party of Lincoln to the Trump Cult.