Final answer:
Voting rights in the United States are crucial to democracy and have been protected by laws like the Voting Rights Act of 1965. However, these rights have been challenged over time, especially following the Shelby County v. Holder decision, which weakened federal oversight on state election laws, leading to issues with voter suppression.
Step-by-step explanation:
Voting rights are a fundamental element of democracy, ensuring citizens have a voice in their government. In the United States, the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 significantly shaped these rights, reinforcing the Fifteenth Amendment, which barred racial discrimination in voting. Originally, this legislation authorized federal oversight of elections and voter registration in states with histories of discriminatory practices. The right to vote is such a core aspect of U.S. governance that many movements and protests have occurred to expand and protect it. Nevertheless, issues such as voter suppression and changes to voter ID laws continue to affect voting rights today.
The historical journey of voting rights in the US upholds the principle that public officials cannot consider voices they do not hear, echoing Kay Lehman Schlozman, Sidney Verba, and Henry E. Brady. Despite the civil rights advancements, the Shelby County v. Holder decision in 2013 weakened the Voting Rights Act by removing the requirement for certain states to get federal approval before changing election laws. This has led to various state-led actions that many believe restrict voting access and raise concerns about ongoing voter suppression.