Monday, February 27, 2012

The Literacy Test and Right To Vote

African Americans secured the right to vote after the Civil War through the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment. After that the southern states decided to quickly restrict the voting rights of those same people of color. In addition to poll taxes, white primaries, and property requirements, some states like Alabama instituted literacy tests.
See below for an actual list of real literacy test questions (would you be able to pass?):

INSTRUCTION "C"

(After applicant has read, not aloud, the foregoing excerpts from the Constitution, he will answer the following questions in writing and without assistance)
1) In case the president is unable to perform the duties of his office, who assumes them?______________________

2) "Involuntary servitude" is permitted in the United States upon conviction of a crime. (True or False)___________

3) If a state is a party to a case, the Constitution provides that original jurisdiction shall be in_________________

4) Congress passes laws regulating cases which are included in those over which the United States Supreme Court has____________________________ jurisdiction.

I hereby certify that I have received no assistance in the completion of this citizenship and literacy test, that I was allowed the time I desired to complete it, and that I waive any right existing to demand a copy of same. (If for any reason the applicant does not wish to sign this, he must discuss the matter with the board of registrars.)

Signed:___________________________________________
(Applicant)

Source: Proceedings of the Committee on the Judiciary of the United States Senate, Eighty-Ninth Congress, First Session on S. 1564, March 23-April 5, 1965 (Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office, 1965) p. 762

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