61st Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

61st Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act

WHEREAS, the Voting Rights Act was signed into law on August 6, 1965, and prohibited discriminatory voting practices, including literacy tests and other barriers that had prevented many Americans, particularly Black citizens, from exercising their fundamental right to vote; and

WHEREAS, the Voting Rights Act has helped expand voter participation, strengthen representative government, and uphold the principle that every eligible citizen should have the opportunity to participate in our democracy; and

WHEREAS, the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act serves as an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in protecting voting rights, recognize the individuals whose advocacy helped secure its passage, and encourage continued civic participation throughout the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, an informed and engaged electorate remains essential to a strong democracy and to the continued success of the Commonwealth of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, the enactment of the Voting Rights Act of Virginia in 2021, making the Commonwealth the first state in the South to adopt a state-level voting rights act, reaffirmed the Commonwealth's commitment to protecting the fundamental right to vote by prohibiting discriminatory voting practices, strengthening safeguards against voter suppression, and promoting fair and equitable access to the electoral process;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor, do hereby recognize August 6, 2026, as the 61st ANNIVERSARY OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.