What was the primary focus of the Voting Rights Act of 1965?

The primary focus of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was to end discriminatory voting practices that were designed to disenfranchise African American voters and other minority groups, particularly in the southern states. This landmark legislation aimed at ensuring that all citizens, regardless of race, had the right to vote and could exercise that right free from intimidation and discrimination.

The Act sought to eliminate various barriers that had been used to restrict voting, such as literacy tests, poll taxes, and understanding clauses, which disproportionately affected minority populations. It also provided for federal oversight and enforcement of voter registration and election procedures in areas where such discrimination had been historically prevalent. This allowed for a more equitable and democratic electoral process, reflecting the commitment of the federal government to uphold the voting rights guaranteed by the 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution.

While providing universal suffrage is a broader goal that includes many rights related to voting, the 1965 Act specifically targeted the systemic injustices that hindered equal access to the ballot. Regulating political advertisements and establishing voter ID requirements are not central focuses of the Voting Rights Act, which concentrated primarily on dismantling the barriers to voting based on race.