WASHINGTON - The Voting Rights Act was signed into law on August 6, 1965. The landmark legislation helped advance equal access to the ballot and strengthened participation in our democracy. “The Voting Rights Act of 1965 emerged from the sacrifices and perseverance of countless individuals who worked to secure the fundamental right to vote, particularly for communities of color that had long faced discrimination and exclusion. “Today, many communities of color worry about how recent developments will impact their fair representation and future participation in the democratic process. Today is also an occasion to remember the hard-won history of voting rights in our country, and to recommit to the work which remains.