Summary
of the Rumor: The
story says that blacks will be losing their right to vote in
2007. The reason is that the Voting Rights Act of 1965
was not a law, it was just an act, but never passed into law.
In 1982, according to the story, Ronald Reagan amended the
Voting Rights Act for another 25 years... until 2007. At
that time, congress will revisit the whole issue and in
addition to congressional approval, there needs to be the
approval of 38 states for the law to be extended.
The
Truth: This is a hoax.
Voting rights for African Americans will not expire in 2007.
1. According to the United States Department of Justice,
both the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the
Voting Rights Act of 1965, guarantee that no person can be
prohibited from voting because of race or color. That
guarantee is without expiration. The Voting Rights Act
does not expire. Lawmakers did add some provisions to
the law, however, that are up for review in 2007. Those
include things like a ban on poll taxes, allowing the
government to register voters if local registrars of voters
refuse to do it, and monitoring of elections where there may
be concern over everybody getting a chance to vote.
2. Both acts and laws are actions of congress and are
the law. There is no distinction in terms of how long
they exist. It depends on how they're written.
3. These special provisions of the Voting Rights Act
were to originally expire in 1970, but congress voted to
extend them. They were extended again in 1970, 1975, and
1982. The chances are good that congress will extend
them again.
4. An extension does not need any approval by the
states. Someone has gotten that mixed up with an
amendment to the Constitution, which does require the approval
of at least 38 U.S. states.
An
example of the false story as it has been circulated in
emails:
Subject:
VOTE OR LOSE IN 2007
WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO!
BLACKS CAN LOSE VOTING RIGHTS IN 2007! PASS THIS ON TO
AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN!
"I am wondering if anyone out here knows what the
significance of the year 2007 is to Black America? Did
you know that the right to vote will expire in the year 2007?
Seriously! The Voters Rights Act signed in 1965 by
Lyndon B. Johnson was just an ACT. It was NOT made a LAW!
In 1982, Ronald Reagan amended the Voters Rights Act for only
another 25years, which means that in the year 2007, we could
lose the right to vote! Does anyone realize that
Blacks/African Americans are the only group of people who
require PERMISSION under the United States Constitution to
vote? In the year 2007 Congress will once again convene
to decide whether or not Blacks should retain the right to
vote (crazy, but true). In order for this to be passed,
38 states will have to approve an extension. In my
opinion and many others, this is ludicrous! Not only
should the extension be approved, but also the Act must be
made into a law. Our right to vote should no longer be
up for discussion, review and/or evaluation. We must
contact our Congress representatives, Senators, Alder persons, etc.,
to put a stop to this! We have come too far to let the
government make such a huge step backward. As bona fide
citizens of the United States, we cannot "drop the
ball" on this one! So please, let us push forward
to continue building the momentum towards gaining
equality. I urge all of you that are able, to contact
those in government that have your vote and will be voting on
this issue."
Source:
TruthOrFiction.com