Final answer:
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 did not result in a decrease in white voters; this is the effect NOT associated with the Act. It aimed to increase racial minority voters, diverse representation, and access for non-English-speaking voters.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks which of the following is NOT an effect of the Voting Rights Act of 1965:
- an increase in racial minority voters
- more diverse representation in government
- an increase in non-English-speaking voters
- a decrease in white voters.
The correct answer is the option suggesting a decrease in white voters. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of federal legislation in the United States that aimed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans and other racial minorities from exercising their right to vote as guaranteed under the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. This Act led to an increase of racial minority voters, and more diverse representation in government, and also addressed institutional barriers such as language, increasing non-English-speaking voters. There is no evidence to suggest that it caused a decrease in white voters, making this the correct answer.
Evidence indicates that even with the Voting Rights Act, there is still an underrepresentation of women and racial/ethnic minorities in U.S. Congress relative to their presence in the population, and white males still dominate both houses of Congress.
Additionally, politicians have recognized the growing bloc of minority voters, such as Latinos, by addressing civil rights like bilingual ballots. This demonstrates the Act's goal to increase voter participation among linguistic minorities.