By Jonathan Tang, USCM Intern
August 7, 2006

President Bush on the White House South Lawn July 27 signed legislation extending the Voting Rights Act for an additional 25 years. The Voting Rights Act, first signed into law under President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, opened polls to African-Americans by outlawing racist voting practices.

“The right of ordinary men and women to determine their own political future lies at the heart of the American experiment,” Bush said, before Congressional leaders, civil rights leaders, and the family members of civil rights icons.

The legislation, now bearing the names of Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King, all active in the civil rights movement, allows the Justice Department to maintain the ability to review and oversee changes in ballot procedures, legislative districts and other electoral rules.

In light of debate in the House over amendments that would shorten the extension of the bill, the Conference of Mayors and other organizations representing states, counties, and cities sent a letter to Speaker Dennis Hastert (IL) and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA) urging the House to “promptly renew the expiring provisions of the Voting Rights Act.” The bill was eventually passed unaltered.

“The nations’ mayors, through The United States Conference of Mayors, were instrumental to Congress passing and President Johnson signing the first Voting Rights Act,” said Conference Executive Director Tom Cochran. “Our support has not diminished. Voting rights today is just as important as it was decades ago and we are pleased Congress passed and President Bush signed this bill – still needed in America in 2006.”