Which federal law was enacted to reduce barriers to voting for groups facing discrimination?

• A. Civil Rights Act of 1964
• B. Gerrymandering
• C. Voting Rights Act of 1965
• D. 26th Amendment

Answer: (C)

The voting rights protections at the heart of this question come from a federal law that specifically targets discriminatory voting practices and gives federal authorities power to enforce fair access. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 accomplished this by outlawing racial discrimination in voting, eliminating obstacles like literacy tests, and establishing preclearance requirements so jurisdictions with a history of discrimination could not implement changes to voting rules without federal approval. That direct focus on removing barriers and guarding the registration and voting process for groups facing discrimination is what makes this act the clear tool for expanding and protecting voting rights. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 addresses discrimination in many areas but doesn’t target voting barriers in the focused, enforcement-heavy way the Voting Rights Act does. The 26th Amendment changes who is eligible to vote by lowering the voting age, not the barriers to voting. Gerrymandering describes a practice of drawing district lines to influence elections, not a law aimed at reducing discrimination in voting.