Protecting Your Vote with BACY LAW Part 1: The History and Legacy of Voting Rights in America

At BACY LAW PLLC, we know that your right to vote didn’t come easily. Before the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, countless Americans fought—and bled—for the freedom to cast a ballot. While great strides have been made, the fight for fair access continues, especially in Texas. Understanding this history reminds us why protecting voting rights today is so important.

From Exclusion to Inclusion

When America was founded, voting was restricted to white, land-owning men. Over time, everyday citizens organized, protested, and pushed the nation toward progress.

• 15th Amendment (1870): Promised the right to vote regardless of race, yet Jim Crow laws and intimidation kept many Black citizens from the polls.

• 19th Amendment (1920): Secured voting rights for women after decades of activism.

• Voting Rights Act of 1965: A landmark achievement of the Civil Rights Movement, outlawing literacy tests, poll taxes, and other barriers designed to suppress voters of color.

  
  

Each milestone was hard-won and often resisted by those who benefitted from exclusion.

Texas and the Ongoing Struggle

Texas has long been at the center of the voting rights battle. Federal courts have struck down state practices ranging from racial gerrymandering to restrictive voter ID laws. The Fifth Circuit found that Texas’s voter ID law discriminated against Black and Latino voters. More recently, new laws have restricted mail-in voting, limited polling hours, and tightened rules for those who help voters with disabilities or language barriers. These changes disproportionately impact seniors, working families, and historically marginalized communities—making it harder for many Texans to exercise their most basic right.

Why History Still Matters

The history of voting rights shows us that progress is fragile. Each generation has faced new tactics aimed at discouraging participation—from poll taxes in the past to modern-day voter roll purges. Remembering the courage of Selma marchers and civil rights leaders reminds us that democracy is not self-sustaining—it requires vigilance and advocacy. At BACY LAW PLLC, we are committed to protecting this legacy. We fight to ensure that every Texan can cast a ballot free from fear, confusion, or intimidation.

Carrying the Torch Forward

Voting rights are about more than elections—they’re about dignity, equality, and ensuring every community has a voice in shaping our future. By protecting these rights, we honor those who fought before us and safeguard democracy for the generations to come.

✨ If you or someone you know is facing barriers to voting or has been accused of a voting-related offense, contact BACY LAW PLLC today. Protecting democracy is not just our work—it’s our promise and it is worth fighting for.