The Voting Rights Act at 60: Advocates Fight Against Voter Suppression in D.C. and Nationwide

August 6, 2025

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 marked its 60th anniversary on August 6, amid concerns about its future effectiveness in protecting voting rights across America. Political experts and activists, including former Democratic National Committee chair Donna Brazile, are fighting against various forms of voter suppression occurring throughout the United States. Specific threats include Project 2025, a Heritage Foundation initiative that proposes criminalizing voting mistakes and marginalizing the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, as well as ongoing redistricting battles in states like Texas and Louisiana.

Who is affected

African American voters and other racial minorities
Washington D.C. residents who lack full congressional representation
Black and Brown representatives in Texas whose districts face redistricting
Voters in Louisiana affected by redistricting cases
All American voters, particularly those in areas with histories of racial discrimination
Young people in Washington D.C. who need civic engagement on statehood issues

What action is being taken

Democratic state legislators in Texas have left the state to prevent Republican-led redistricting
Senators Raphael Warnock and Dick Durbin are introducing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
Representative Terri Sewell has introduced the John Lewis bill in the House
Activists are organizing to fight against Project 2025's voting proposals
A satellite organization has been set up at Howard University to promote D.C. statehood
The Supreme Court is reviewing a redistricting case from Louisiana

Why it matters

The Voting Rights Act has historically enabled millions of African Americans to vote and run for office
Since the 2013 Shelby v. Holder Supreme Court decision gutted Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, states have enacted over 100 laws restricting voting
Project 2025 threatens to reverse political progress made by African Americans under the Voting Rights Act
D.C. residents lack final say on their local budget, land use, and who their prosecutor is
The integrity of democracy depends on protecting voting rights for all citizens
Full voting rights are considered fundamental to a multiracial democracy

What's next

Congress will consider passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
Maya Wiley proposes a "package of laws" including the D.C. statehood bill, Freedom to Vote Act, and Native American Voting Rights Act
No explicit next steps stated in the article regarding the Supreme Court's upcoming decision on the Louisiana redistricting case

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer