Which landmark legislation prohibited racial discrimination in voting?

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is recognized as landmark legislation that directly addressed and prohibited racial discrimination in voting practices. This Act aimed to eliminate various discriminatory practices that had been employed to disenfranchise African American voters, particularly in Southern states. Among other things, it outlawed literacy tests, and poll taxes, and provided for federal oversight of elections in areas with a history of discriminatory voting practices.

By establishing strict guidelines for voter registration and voting processes, the Act significantly increased voter registration and participation among African Americans, paving the way for greater political representation and civil rights protections. The Act has been amended several times to expand its protections and to respond to ongoing challenges to voting rights. This context establishes why the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is considered the correct answer, as its primary focus was explicitly to combat racial discrimination in voting.