Voting Rights Act, 45 Years Later

WASHINGTON - Tomorrow marks the 45th anniversary of the landmark Voting Rights Act. Before its passage in 1965, many African Americans, particularly in the South, faced discriminatory voting laws, fear, and intimidation when attempting to vote.

Tonight in Alabama, volunteers are gathering at historic civil rights locations in Birmingham, Selma, Montgomery, and Tuskegee to commemorate this important anniversary. They'll be joined by those who were involved in the civil rights movement and cast their first votes after the Voting Rights Act, as well as those who voted for the first time in 2008.

But they won't only be remembering a struggle that's over and done with—they'll be continuing the push forward by reaching out to new voters and making sure they get to the polls this year.