Press Play with Madeleine Brand

What voter suppression looks like today — 55 years after Voting Rights Act was signed into law

Fifty-five years ago today, a historic piece of federal legislation was signed into law: The Voting Rights Act. It prohibited racial discrimination in voting, and banned things like poll taxes and literacy tests.

By Jonathan Bastian • Aug 6, 2020 • 10m Listen

Fifty-five years ago today, a historic piece of federal legislation was signed into law: The Voting Rights Act. It prohibited racial discrimination in voting, and banned things like poll taxes and literacy tests. But decades later, Americans are facing new challenges heading into the November election.

Jonathan Bastian
Host, Life Examined
Sarah Sweeney
Vice President of Talk Programming, KCRW
Michell Eloy
Line Editor, Press Play
Amy Ta
Digital News & Culture Editor
Nancy Abudu
American Civil Liberties Union

Press Play with Madeleine Brand

What voter suppression looks like today — 55 years after Voting Rights Act was signed into law

Fifty-five years ago today, a historic piece of federal legislation was signed into law: The Voting Rights Act. It prohibited racial discrimination in voting, and banned things like poll taxes and literacy tests.

Share

Press Play with Madeleine Brand

What voter suppression looks like today — 55 years after Voting Rights Act was signed into law

Fifty-five years ago today, a historic piece of federal legislation was signed into law: The Voting Rights Act. It prohibited racial discrimination in voting, and banned things like poll taxes and literacy tests.

Share