WASHINGTON — The Voting Rights Act was signed into law on August 6, 1965. The landmark legislation helped advance equal access to the ballot and strengthened participation in our democracy. In recognition of the six decades since it was enacted and its continued significance today, Bishop Daniel E. Garcia of Austin, Texas, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee for the Promotion of Racial Justice and Reconciliation, issued a statement.

“The Voting Rights Act of 1965 emerged from the sacrifices and perseverance of countless individuals who worked to secure the fundamental right to vote, particularly for communities of color that had long faced discrimination and exclusion.

“Today, many communities of color worry about how recent developments will impact their fair representation and future participation in the democratic process. Echoing our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, we affirm the value of democracy ‘insofar as it guarantees the effective participation of citizens’ as a reflection of their dignity. For decades, the U.S. bishops have advocated for the right of eligible citizens to participate fully in public life, including the protection of voting rights. We encourage all citizens to exercise their right to vote and urge policymakers to safeguard voting rights and promote fair representation for all. Today is also an occasion to remember the hard-won history of voting rights in our country, and to recommit to the work which remains.

“May we continue to work together for the common good and for a society in which all citizens are able to participate fully and faithfully in our democracy.”