Voting Rights Act protects your right to be heard
Over 50 years ago literacy tests, poll taxes and other discriminatory requirements were in place to make it difficult for eligible citizens to register to vote. But on Aug. 6, 1965, the Voting Rights Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson prohibiting racial discrimination in voting.
Since that time, various amendments and reauthorizations of the act have increased voter protections by removing poll taxes, providing nationwide protections for voting rights and including provisions to extend assistance to language for minority populations. In Fresno County election materials are printed in English and Spanish, and in specific parts of the county language assistance includes Chinese, Japanese, Hindi and Khmer.
On the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, we recognize the great contributions and achievements of our government leaders and civil rights activists for encouraging participation in the democratic process and protecting voter rights. All of us at the Fresno County Clerk’s Office strive to educate and encourage voters to participate in voting. There is no greater way to have your voice heard than to vote.
To read more about the Voting Rights Act and all that the Fresno County Elections Department offers, go to www.co.fresno.ca.us/elections.
Brandi Orth
Fresno County Clerk/Registrar of Voters
This story was originally published August 5, 2015 at 8:15 AM with the headline "Voting Rights Act protects your right to be heard."