The intent was to protect ALL Americans.

Both parties...but particularly the far left influence on the Dems...have distorted the intent of the law and used it to mess with traditionally red states.

My own personal preference would be rather than having a showdown on this in Texas - divide California in half - North California, South California. No one state should have fifty some electoral college votes. Just look at what has happened with elections in California over the last three decades or so...legal harvesting, recall impossibilities, etc.,... It would take a miracle for California to ever go red again - there are thousands living their suffering due to the leftist laws within that state.

Texas now has 40 electoral votes based on census population. Hence, the gerrymandering. I believe Texas only had 32 electoral votes in 2000. See the shift???

See? When it was conceded that the electoral college could not be eliminated...the bending of the intent within the electoral college has been the new tactic. For example, flood all areas with immigrants (illegal or otherwise) - count them in the census - get more seats - gerrymander the maps within the states. It is a long game. But it has been successful. Hence, Arizona. See?

Here is the 'Voting Right Act 1965' discussion if you are interested...which address:
Investigate violations of federal voting laws; Enforce clean and accurate voter rolls; challenge voter suppression and race-based gerrymandering; Protect equal access to the ballot for ALL Americans

https://www.justice.gov/opa/video/assistant-attorney-general-dhillon-discusses-60th-anniversary-voting-rights-act