What was the primary goal of the Voting Rights Act of 1965?

The primary goal of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was to eliminate discriminatory voting practices like literacy tests that were used primarily to disenfranchise African American voters and other minority groups, particularly in the Southern states. This legislation sought to address the systemic barriers that had been established to suppress the voting rights of these populations, ensuring that all citizens had an equal opportunity to participate in the electoral process.

The Act aimed to enforce the voting rights guaranteed by the 14th and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. It prohibited the use of literacy tests and other practices that were employed to disenfranchise voters based on race. The Act also provided for federal oversight and monitoring of voter registration and elections in areas with a history of discriminatory practices.

While the other choices highlight important aspects related to civil rights and voting, they do not capture the central aim of the Voting Rights Act. Federal oversight of state elections was indeed a component of the Act, but it was fundamentally designed to remove barriers like literacy tests. The focus on equal employment opportunities and promoting civil rights activism, although relevant to the broader civil rights movement, were not the primary objectives of this specific legislation.