Alabama leaders talk 60 years of the Voting Rights Act

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — This week marks 60 years since the Voting Rights Act was signed into law in 1965. State leaders called it a milestone, but some say the fight for that right continues.

“The right to vote is a journey that is still continuing,” said Barry McNealy, historic content expert for the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

McNealy said that the over 60-year journey is something Americans should be proud of.

“The Voting Rights Act is something that our nation should take pride in. When the Voting Rights Act was signed by Lyndon Johnson, for the first time our nation’s history, it became a true democracy,” he said.

Tafeni English-Relf serves as the director of the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Alabama State Office. She said that democracy still comes with voter suppression. English-Relf said state laws like SB 1, making it illegal for people to give or receive help with an absentee ballot, make it difficult to vote.

She said bringing early voting to the state would give even more access to voters.

“The crisis at the local level is really what we’re looking at when it comes to voter suppression bills,” said English-Relf. “And we’re continuing to see the mirroring of those bills from state to state.”

Former Secretary of State John Merrill said the Voting Rights Act leveled the playing field for Americans.

“Having people that are legal citizens of the United States be in a position to have their voice heard and have their vote counted is the most fundamental right that we have as citizens of the United States,” said Merrill.

In the words of John Lewis, English-Relf said that fundamental right is a nonviolent tool people can use to give voice.

“Just to understand that your vote does matter. And, regardless of your party, you have the right to exercise your voice at the ballot box,” she said. 

English-Relf said the right to vote is a guarantee that everyone can cast their vote regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or creed.