Democrats Perpetuate Voting Roghts Hoax

Fact: Black Americans will not lose the right to vote if the Voting Rights Act of 1965 expires in 2007. Fact: Black Americans are guaranteed the right to vote by the 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution that was pushed through in 1870 by Republicans after the Civil War. That constitutional amendment states: "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude." Fact: The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed over the strong opposition of Democrats, with more Republicans voting for the act than Democrats. The act was passed to stop the Democrats in the South from denying black Americans their constitutional right to vote, using discriminatory tactics such as literacy tests and the poll tax. Fact: The Voting Rights Act has been extended several times since it was passed in 1965, and extension of the act now is not in dispute. Some sections are being debated, particularly those regarding printing ballots in languages other than English and the "pre clearance" section. The “pre clearance” section requires Justice Department approval before certain state, counties or districts can make certain changes, including district boundaries. This prior approval is designed to prevent the diluting of the black vote. This disputed section of the Voting Rights Act has created "Majority-Minority" districts. These districts which have a majority of minority voters have become untouchable, creating a harmful condition for black communities. Hoax: Despite the above facts, Democrats, over the past eight years, have perpetuated the hoax that blacks will loose the right to vote if the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is not extended. Democrats have also played the race card, falsely accusing Republicans of being against extension of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.